Tonic solfa, ton′ik sōl-fä′, n. a modern system of musical notation, in which the notes are indicated by letters, and time and accent by dashes and colons.
To-night, tōō-nīt′, n. this night: the night after the present day.
Tonite, tō′nīt, n. an explosive made from pulverised gun-cotton.
Tonka-bean, tong′ka-bēn, n. the seed of a large tree of Guiana, used for flavouring snuff.—Also Ton′quin-bean.
Tonnage, tun′āj, n. in regard to ships, a measure both of cubical capacity and of dead-weight carrying capability—the freight ton simply means 40 cubic feet of space available for cargo, and is therefore two-fifths of a register ton: a duty on ships, estimated per ton.—Also Tun′nage.
Tonsil, ton′sil, n. one of two glands at the root of the tongue, so named from its shape.—n. Tonsilī′tis, inflammation of the tonsils.—adjs. Ton′sillar, Ton′silar, Tonsilit′ic. [L. tonsilla, a stake, a tonsil, dim. of tonsa, an oar.]
Tonsile, ton′sil, adj. that may be clipped.—n. Ton′sor, a barber.—adj. Tonsō′rial, pertaining to a barber or to shaving. [L. tonsilis—tondēre, tonsum, to clip.]
Tonsure, ton′shōōr, n. act of clipping the hair, or of shaving the head: a religious observance of the R.C. and Eastern Churches, which consists in shaving or cutting part of the hair of the head as a sign of the dedication of the person to the special service of God, and commonly to the public ministry of religion.—adj. Ton′sured, having the crown of the head shaven as a priest: shaven: bald. [L. tonsura, a shearing—tondēre.]
Tontine, ton-tēn′, n. a kind of life-annuity, increasing as the subscribers die: a loan raised with the benefit of survivorship—also adj.—n. Tontin′er. [From Lorenzo Tonti, a Neapolitan, its inventor.]
Tony, tō′ni, n. a simpleton. [Antony.]