galvanic

[gal-van-ik]

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adjective

pertaining to or produced by galvanism; producing or caused by an electric current.

affecting or affected as if by galvanism; startling; shocking: the galvanic effect of his speech.

stimulating; energizing: Her galvanic presence brought the party to life.

Origin of galvanic

1790–1800; < French galvanique, named after Luigi Galvani; see -ic

Related formsgal·van·i·cal·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for galvanic

propulsive, restless, fidgety, demonstrative, impulsive, high-strung, fiery, hysterical, skittish, temperamental, sweeping, dynamic, compelling, active, urging, energetic, enterprising, lively, vigorous, violent

Examples from the Web for galvanic

Historical Examples of galvanic

You thought it was a galvanic belt, or something of that sort.
Henry Dunbar
M. E. Braddon
Where would be the stomach-pumps and the galvanic batteries for science?
Nuts and Nutcrackers
Charles James Lever
With a start, as if shocked into galvanic motion, the boy sat upright.
The Best Short Stories of 1920
Various
His simple reply had a galvanic effect on his three hearers.
The Return of Peter Grimm
David Belasco
We can send a galvanic current through a piece of platinum wire.
The Story of the Heavens
Robert Stawell Ball

British Dictionary definitions for galvanic

galvanic

galvanical

adjective

Also: voltaic of, producing, or concerned with an electric current, esp a direct current produced chemicallya galvanic cell

informal resembling the effect of an electric shock; convulsive, startling, or energeticgalvanic reflexes

Derived Formsgalvanically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for galvanic

adj.

1797; see galvanism + -ic.

galvanic in Science

galvanic

[găl-văn′ĭk]

Relating to electricity generated by a chemical reaction. A galvanic cell is an electric cell, such as found in household and car batteries, that makes use of galvanic reactions to act as a power source. See Note at battery.