ton | Search Online Etymology Dictionary

57 entries found.

1640s, "relating to or characterized by muscular tension," from Greek tonikos "of stretching," from tonos "a stretching," from PIE root *ten- "to stretch." The meaning "maintaining the healthy firmness of tissues" is recorded from 1680s, first extended 1756 to "having the property of restoring to health." Related: Tonical (1580s).

tonsorial (adj.)

"pertaining to barbers," 1765, from -al (1) + Latin tonsorius "of or pertaining to shearing or shaving," from tonsor "a shaver, barber, shearer, clipper," from tonsus, past participle of tondere "to shear, shave, clip, crop," from PIE *tend-, from root *tem- "to cut." Generally used in an attempt at humor. Tonsorious in the same sense is attested from 1650s.

tonight (adv.)

Old English toniht "in the coming night," from to "at, on" (see to) + niht (see night). As a noun, "in the night after the present day," early 14c. Written as two words until 18c., after which it was to-night until early 20c.

Tony

1947, awards given by American Theatre Wing (New York), from nickname of U.S. actress, manager, and producer Antoinette Perry (1888-1946).

tonal (adj.)

1776; from tone (n.) in the musical sense + -al (1), or from Medieval Latin tonalis.

tonsillitis (n.)

also tonsilitis, "inflammation of the tonsils," 1801, from combining form of tonsil + -itis "inflammation."

tonneau (n.)

1901, rear part of an automobile, from French tonneau, literally "cask, tun" (see tun).

tonality (n.)

1824, from tonal + -ity.

tonic (n.2)

in the musical sense, 1760, short for tonic note, from tone (n.) in the musical sense + -ic. Related: Tonicity.

tongue-twister (n.)

1875, in reference to an awkward sentence, 1892 of a deliberately difficult-to-say phrase, from tongue (n.) + agent noun from twist (v.). The first one called by the name is "Miss Smith's fish-sauce shop."

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