Isotonic

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Isotonic \I`so*ton"ic\, a. [Iso- + tonic.]
     1. Having or indicating, equal tones, or tension.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Physiology, Biochemistry) Having an osmotic pressure
        (tonicity) equal to that of a reference solution; -- of


        aqueous solutions. Contrasting with {hypotonic} and
        {hypertonic}. See {hypertonic}.
        [PJC]
  
              A knowledge of the colligative properties of
              solutions . . . is essential for one to understand
              fully the principles involved in rendering
              intravenous solutions isotonic with blood serum, or
              opthalmic solutions isotonic with lachrymal fluid.
              Solutions thus adjusted produce less shock and much
              less irritation than those which are hypotonic or
              hypertonic, and present-day practise recognizes the
              desirability of making the necessary adjustments
              whenever possible.                    --Cook &
                                                    Martin
                                                    (Remington's
                                                    Practice of
                                                    Pharmacy,
                                                    Tenth Ed.:
                                                    Mack Publ.,
                                                    Easton Pa.,
                                                    1951)
  
     {Isotonic system} (Mus.), a system consisting of intervals,
        in which each concord is alike tempered, and in which
        there are twelve equal semitones.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  isotonic
       adj 1: (used of solutions) having the same or equal osmotic
              pressure [syn: {isosmotic}] [ant: {hypertonic}, {hypotonic}]
       2: relating to or characterized by the equal intervals of the
          well-tempered scale; "isotonic tuning"
       3: of or involving muscular contraction in which tension is
          constant while length changes [ant: {isometric}]
       4: of two or more muscles; having equal tension