galvanize
[gal-vuh-nahyz]
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Also especially British, gal·va·nise.
Origin of galvanize
Synonyms
See more synonyms for galvanize on Thesaurus.com3. rouse, stir, electrify, fire, spur, animate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for galvanize
Contemporary Examples
The book is a manifesto—a single-handed attempt to galvanize the world to take to the streets.
Do you think the film will galvanize enough interest to re-open the search for Yaser?
The current firestorm should galvanize critics of education reform, but not in the way they think.
De Blasio Misread His Mandate, Now Some of His Own Supporters are Fighting Back Over Charter School CutsConor P. Williams
March 11, 2014
But in this bitter race, the saga surely helped Schweikert galvanize his base, which will be critical to winning the primary.
So I would not doubt that yesterday's decision will galvanize conservative voters.
Historical Examples
Madame Rachel can only galvanize the corpse, not revivify it.
The Paris Sketch Book of Mr. M. A. TitmarshWilliam Makepeace Thackeray
The touch of his hands and lips seemed to galvanize her into life.
The Bride of the Tomb and Queenie's Terrible SecretMrs. Alexander McVeigh Miller
Love is the only impulse which could galvanize him into life.
And, for Kings Port, navy yards do not galvanize dead trade.
Lady BaltimoreOwen Wister
His Polonaises, characterized by an energetic rhythm, galvanize and electrify the torpor of indifference.
Life of ChopinFranz Liszt
galvanize
galvanise
- 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
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- Caribbean galvanized iron, usually in the form of corrugated sheets as used in roofing
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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 galvanize
v.
1802, from French galvaniser, from galvanisme (see galvanism). Figurative sense of "excite, stimulate (as if by electricity)" first recorded 1853. Meaning "to coat with metal by means of galvanic electricity" (especially to plate iron with tin, but now typically to plate it with zinc) is from 1839.
He'll swear that in her dancing she cuts all others out,
Though like a Gal that's galvanized, she throws her legs about.
[Thomas Hood, "Love has not Eyes," 1845]
Related: Galvanized; galvanizing.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper