Tonic Meaning and Definition
Tonic
Pronunciation
/ˈtɒnɪk/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A medicine or potion that heals or soothes, particularly one that is taken to restore health and well-being.
Examples
- After a long illness, she felt like she needed a tonic to regain her strength.
- The doctor prescribed a tonic to help her recover from the flu.
- Her grandmother used to make a special tonic from herbs to calm her nerves.
- He took a tonic at the spa to detox and recharge.
- The tonic worked wonders, and she was back to normal within a week.
Synonyms
- Medicine
- Remedy
- Restorative
Antonyms
- Toxin
- Poison
- Harmful substance
Etymology
The word ‘tonic’ originates from the Latin ‘tonicus’, meaning ‘relating to tone’ or ‘relating to health and fitness’.
Usage Notes
The word ‘tonic’ is often used to describe a drink or potion that has a refreshing or invigorating effect.
Cultural References
The concept of a tonic has been featured in various forms of media, including literature, film, and music. For example, in the classic novel ‘The Waste Land’ by T.S. Eliot, the character of the “Hyacinth Girl” is described as seeking a tonic for her spiritual emptiness.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
A ‘tonic’ can also be used as an idiomatic expression to describe something that is restorative or rejuvenating, such as “a warm bath is a great tonic after a long day”.
Related Words or Phrases
Some related words or phrases include ‘remedy’, ‘medicine’, ‘cure’, and ‘healing’.
Collocations
Some common collocations with the word ‘tonic’ include ‘morning tonic’, ‘afternoon tonic’, ‘tonic water’, and ‘tonic pill’.
Frequency of Use
The word ‘tonic’ is relatively common in everyday language, particularly in contexts related to health, wellness, and self-care.
Common Misspellings
Common misspellings of the word ‘tonic’ include ‘tonik’, ‘tonique’, and ‘tonnique’.