tonic spasm

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

4.(Med.) Characterized by continuous muscular contraction; as, tonic convulsions. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Tonic spasm. (Med.) See the Note under Spasm. [1913 Webster]