isotonic

[ ahy-suh-ton-ik ]

adjective

1. Also Physical Chemistry. noting or pertaining to solutions characterized by equal osmotic pressure. Compare hypertonic ( def 2 ), hypotonic ( def 2 ).
2. Physiology.
   1. noting or pertaining to a solution containing the same salt concentration as mammalian blood.
   2. noting or pertaining to a muscular contraction in which constant tension continues while the length of the muscle decreases, as during mechanical work.
3. Music. of or characterized by equal tones.

isotonic

/ ˌaɪsəʊtəʊˈnɪsɪtɪ; ˌaɪsəʊˈtɒnɪk /

adjective

1. physiol (of two or more muscles) having equal tension
2. (of a drink) designed to replace the fluid and salts lost from the body during strenuous exercise
3. See hypotonic, hypertonic
   Alsoisosmotic (of two solutions) having the same osmotic pressure, commonly having physiological osmotic pressure Compare hypertonic hypotonic
4. music of, relating to, or characterized by the equal intervals of the well-tempered scale

   isotonic tuning

Derived Forms

• isotonicity, noun

Other Words From

• i·so·to·nic·i·ty [ahy-s, uh, -t, uh, -, nis, -i-tee], noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of isotonic¹

1820–30; < Greek isóton ( os ) having equal accent or tone ( iso-, tone ) + -ic

Example Sentences

All nose lotions should be alkaline, and isotonic with the blood plasma.

From Project Gutenberg

Normal saline solution is isotonic with the body cells and hence is employed as the vehicle.

From Project Gutenberg

It may be objected that segmentation is also produced by a solution which is isotonic with sea water.

From Project Gutenberg

The solution is therefore practically isotonic with the stimulated muscle.

From Project Gutenberg

Take, for instance, two isotonic solutions, one of salt and another of sugar.

From Project Gutenberg