galvanic

[ gal-van-ik ]

/ gælˈvæn ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR galvanic ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

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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

Examples from the Web for galvanic

This he does by placing a galvanic battery under the body of the engine.
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, v. 3, number 18|Various
The galvanic current acts on the electromagnet m, which is fixed in a small metal box containing also the battery.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 1|Various
These instruments are something like the mariner's compass, with the sensitiveness enormously increased by galvanic currents.
A Journey in Other Worlds|John Jacob Astor
He started, in all his deathly longitude, as with a galvanic shock.
A Passionate Pilgrim|Henry James

The words upon which I had placed emphasis, startled the coward like a galvanic shock.
The Quadroon|Mayne Reid

British Dictionary definitions for galvanic

galvanic

galvanical

/ (ɡælˈvænɪk) /

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

galvanic

adj.

1797; see galvanism + -ic.

Science definitions for galvanic

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.