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galvanism

[gal-vuh-niz-uh m]
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noun
  1. Electricity. electricity, especially as produced by chemical action.
  2. Medicine/Medical. the therapeutic application of electricity to the body.
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Origin of galvanism

1790–1800; < French galvanisme, named after Luigi Galvani; see -ism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for galvanism

Historical Examples

  • Galvanism was tried without the patient showing any contractility.

    Scientific American Supplement, No. 497, July 11, 1885

    Various

  • Has galvanism or electricity any share in the mysterious function?

    The Physical Life of Woman:

    Dr. George H Napheys

  • Magnetism, galvanism, electricity, are 'one form of many names.'

    Gryll Grange

    Thomas Love Peacock

  • Miracles are told of galvanism; what have you to say about it?

  • Volta read a communication on the identity of electricity and galvanism.

    Makers of Electricity

    Brother Potamian

British Dictionary definitions for galvanism

galvanism

noun
  1. obsolete electricity, esp when produced by chemical means as in a cell or battery
  2. med treatment involving the application of electric currents to tissues
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Word Origin

C18: via French from Italian galvanismo, after Luigi Galvani
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 galvanism

n.

"electricity produced by chemical action," 1797, from French galvanisme or Italian galvanismo, from Italian physicist Luigi Galvani (1737-1798) who discovered it c.1792 while running currents through the legs of dead frogs.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper