tonify

Verb

tonify (third-person singular simple present tonifies, present participle tonifying, simple past and past participle tonified)

1. (Chinese, traditional) To increase the available energy of
   • In two-meridian problems, for example Lung deficiency, where the Spleen would also be deficient, tonify LU-9 or LU-7 and SP-3 or SP-5.1983, Kiiko Matsumoto, Stephen Birch, Five Elements and Ten Stems, →ISBN, page 172
   • Intellectuals are principally yang: one must tonify the yin. Rural people are principally yin: one must tonify the yang.1994, Georges Soulié de Morant, Paul Zmiewski, Chinese Acupuncture, →ISBN, page 79
2. (broadly) To invigorate; to have a restorative effect on.
   • Patients of this description derive a marvellous amount of benefit from hydrotherapy, and, when it can be had, from maritime hydrotherapy : this treatment tonifies their whole system, and enables them to resist variations of temperature, without contracting the intestinal catarrh from which, under...1871, The New Sydenham Society, page 113
   • Then he tonified himself with a cold shower and carefully dressed for dinner.1927, Silvio Villa, Ultra-violet Tales, page 122
3. To strengthen; to tone.
   • This maybe important when these muscles need to be tonified, especially if the thoracic spine has a tendency to bend over slightly, or if the ribs are usually in a position that is too closed.2006, Anatomy of Breathing, page 145
   • This pressure creates a resistant force in the abdomen, which tonifies the pelvic floor, the abdominal wall, and the deep stabilizing muscles of the low back.2012, Gregor Maehle, Ashtanga Yoga The Intermediate Series, →ISBN