galvanize

[ gal-vuh-nahyz ]
/ ˈgæl vəˌnaɪz /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR galvanize ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), gal·va·nized, gal·va·niz·ing.

to stimulate by or as if by a galvanic current.
Medicine/Medical. to stimulate or treat (muscles or nerves) with induced direct current (distinguished from faradize).
to startle into sudden activity; stimulate.
to coat (metal, especially iron or steel) with zinc.

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Also especially British, gal·va·nise .

Origin of galvanize

1795–1805; <French galvaniser, named after Luigi Galvani; see -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM galvanize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to galvanize

shock, energize, invigorate, stun, motivate, excite, jolt, startle, arouse, stir, frighten, provoke, spur, astonish, prime, thrill, pique, fire, move, electrify

Example sentences from the Web for galvanize

British Dictionary definitions for galvanize

galvanize

galvanise

/ (ˈɡælvəˌnaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to stimulate to action; excite; startle
to cover (iron, steel, etc) with a protective zinc coating by dipping into molten zinc or by electrodeposition
to stimulate by application of an electric current

noun

Caribbean galvanized iron, usually in the form of corrugated sheets as used in roofing

Derived forms of galvanize

galvanization or galvanisation, noungalvanizer or galvaniser, noun
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