atonic

[ uh-ton-ik, ey-ton- ]

adjective

1. Phonetics.
   1. unaccented.
   2. Obsolete. voiceless.
2. Pathology. characterized by atony.

noun

1. Grammar. an unaccented word, syllable, or sound.

atonic

/ ˌeɪtəʊ-; æ-; eɪˈtɒnɪk; ˌætəˈnɪsɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (of a syllable, word, etc) carrying no stress; unaccented
2. pathol lacking body or muscle tone

noun

1. an unaccented or unstressed syllable, word, etc, such as for in food for thought

Derived Forms

• atonicity, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of atonic¹

1720–30; a- ⁶ + tonic; in pathology sense, aton(y) + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of atonic¹

C18: from Latin atonicus, from Greek atonos lacking tone; see atony

Example Sentences

The 11 patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome who finished the study also had a 55 percent decline in the number of attacks called "atonic" seizures, which cause a sudden loss of muscle tone.

From US News

He then developed atonic seizures, in which his muscle lost tone — his muscles would go limp and he would drop to the ground.

From Nature

It may be due to reflex digestive disturbances, or be associated with conditions of nervous breakdown and irritability, or with an atonic and relaxed condition of the heart muscle.

From Project Gutenberg

I have therefore ceased to prescribe it except in the later stages of the disease, when the symptoms indicate that the intestinal ulcers are in an atonic condition.

From Project Gutenberg

“The stimulant, aromatic and carminative properties render it of much value in atonic dyspepsia, especially if accompanied with much flatulence, and as an adjunct to purgative medicines to correct griping.”

From Project Gutenberg