tonic spasm

1 definition found

tonic spasm - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Tonic \Ton"ic\, a. [Cf. F. tonigue, Gr. ?. See Tone.]
     1. Of or relating to tones or sounds; specifically (Phon.),
        applied to, or distingshing, a speech sound made with tone
        unmixed and undimmed by obstruction, such sounds, namely,
        the vowels and diphthongs, being so called by Dr. James
        Rush (1833) " from their forming the purest and most
        plastic material of intonation."
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. Of or pertaining to tension; increasing tension; hence,
        increasing strength; as, tonic power.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Med.) Increasing strength, or the tone of the animal
        system; obviating the effects of debility, and restoring
        healthy functions.
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     4. (Med.) Characterized by continuous muscular contraction;
        as, tonic convulsions.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     Tonic spasm. (Med.) See the Note under Spasm.
        [1913 Webster]