-tonia

1. a combining form with the meaning “muscle tension, nerve tension,” as specified by the initial element ( hypertonia ); used also in the formation of words that denote more generally a personality type or personality disorder ( catatonia; somatotonia ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of -tonia¹

See tone, -ia

Example Sentences

The animal rights organization was alerted to Tonka’s whereabouts by the “Chimp Crazy” producers, who feared Tonia Haddix was going to euthanize the ape.

From Los Angeles Times

The HBO docuseries depicts subject Tonia Haddix lying about the whereabouts of a chimpanzee, Tonka, in her care.

From Los Angeles Times

That’s the oath Tonia Haddix swore to uphold in January 2022, when she logged into a Zoom court hearing to deny that she had anything to do with the disappearance of a famous chimpanzee.

From Los Angeles Times

And Tonia being Tonia, she just kept talking.

From Los Angeles Times

Her name was Tonia Haddix, an Ozarks-based exotic animal broker who was obsessed with chimpanzees.

From Los Angeles Times