tonic

Word family

Related topics: Drink, Drugs, medicines, Music

ton·ic /ˈtɒnɪk $ ˈtɑː-/ noun

1 [countableC, uncountableU] (also tonic water)DFD a clear bitter-tasting drink that you can mix with alcoholic drinks such as gin or vodka 奎宁水

She sat and sipped a gin and tonic.

她坐着，小口小口地喝着一杯加奎宁水的杜松子酒。

2 [countableC]MD a drink that you have as a medicine to give you more energy or strength when you feel tired 补药，滋补品

A lot of people need a tonic at the end of the winter.

很多人冬末需要进补。

3 [countableC usually singular] British EnglishBrEHEALTHY something that makes you feel happy and full of energy 使精神振奋的东西

A weekend by the sea was the perfect tonic.

在海边过一个周末绝对可以调整身心。

4 [countableC] a liquid that you put on your hair or skin to improve it and make it more healthy 护发液；护肤液

a herbal skin tonic

草本爽肤水

5. [countableC usually singular] technicalAPM the first note in a musical scale of eight notes 〔音阶中的〕主音

Examples from the Corpus

tonic• It was a tonic we needed.• I'll have a gin and tonic.• He said he had drunk eight to 10 pints of lager and some vodka and tonic, the court was told.• It was good tonic for me to watch this.• There was a lot of hair tonic in evidence.• an herbal tonic• And remember, nothing - no skin tonic, astringent, freshener or plain cold water - can close your pores.• Humor was the tonic that brought Reeves out of his depression.

Origin tonic

(1600-1700) Greek tonikos, from tonos; → TONE1

ton·ic noun

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus