TONIC

Meaning

Pertaining to tension, especially of the muscles.

Etymology

Origin: Ancient Greek

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *ten- Proto-Indo-European *-os Proto-Indo-European *tónos Proto-Hellenic *tónos Ancient Greek τόνος (tónos) Proto-Indo-European *-kos Proto-Hellenic *-kos Ancient Greek -κός (-kós) Ancient Greek -ικός (-ikós) Ancient Greek τονῐκός (tonĭkós) English tonic From Ancient Greek τονικός (tonikós), from τόνος (tónos). 17th century writers believed health to be derived from firmly stretched muscles, thus tonic; the extension of tonic medicine appeared in the late 18th century. By surface analysis, ton(e) + -ic.

Synonyms & Antonyms

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 18 recorded puzzles:

• 2026-03-08IACNOTX
• 2026-03-02NCIOTUY
• 2026-02-24OCFILNT
• 2025-10-15OCEIJNT
• 2025-09-17NCLTOUI
• 2025-07-04CEOIFNT
• 2025-05-07NCOLIMT
• 2025-04-02OATICNZ
• 2025-01-22TXCOIEN
• 2024-10-16TCYOUNI
• 2024-09-20NCRIFOT
• 2024-07-14ICEJNOT

+6 earlier appearances in the archive.