English Explanatory Dictionary

galvanize

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb

To coat with a layer of metal by electrochemical means.
To coat with a layer of zinc (for rust resistance) by electrochemical means.
To shock or stimulate into sudden activity, as if by electric shock.
To electrify, as by galvanism.
To switch sides between Union and Confederate in the American Civil War.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/ en-us-galvanise.ogg

Word forms

galvanize galvanizes galvanizing galvanized galvanise

Etymology

From French galvaniser, from galvanisme, named after Italian physiologist Luigi Aloisio Galvani (1737–1798). By surface analysis, galvano- + -ize.

Synonyms

electrogalvanize electroplate zinc animate electrify startle urge awaken enflame enkindle enthrill exagitate excite exhilarate exsuscitate fillip fire fire the blood galvanize gin up ignite inflame intoxicate kindle quicken rouse send set fire to set on fire sharpen stir the blood suscitate thrill vitalise wake warm the blood whet wind up work up yerk abet actuate goose light a fire under sting bring about cheer draw drive encourage egg on engender evoke foment goad grill impel incite induce instigate

Related words

galvanic

Derived words

galvanization galvanizer galvanneal regalvanize

Translations

Bulgarian: галванизирам Catalan: galvanitzar Chinese Mandarin: 電鍍 /电镀 Czech: galvanizovat Danish: galvanisere Dutch: galvaniseren Dutch: verzinken Esperanto: galvanizi Estonian: galvaniseerima Finnish: galvanoida French: galvaniser Georgian: გალვანიზება German: galvanisieren Greek: γαλβανίζω Italian: galvanizzare Japanese: 活性化する Portuguese: galvanizar Russian: гальванизи́ровать Spanish: galvanizar Swedish: galvanisera

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