galvanize

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: gal=va=nize

CIDE DICTIONARY

galvanize, v. t. [Cf. F. galvaniser.].

•  To affect with galvanism; to subject to the action of electrical currents.  [1913 Webster]
•  To plate, as with gold, silver, etc., by means of electricity.  [1913 Webster]
•  To restore to consciousness by galvanic action (as from a state of suspended animation); hence, to stimulate or excite to a factitious animation or activity.  [1913 Webster]
•  To coat, as iron, with zinc. See Galvanized iron.  [1913 Webster]

Galvanized iron, formerly, iron coated with zink by electrical deposition; now more commonly, iron coated with zink by plunging into a bath of melted zink, after its surface has been cleaned by friction with the aid of dilute acid.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

galvanize, v.tr. (also -ise)
1 (often foll. by into) rouse forcefully, esp. by shock or excitement (was galvanized into action).
2 stimulate by or as if by electricity.
3 coat (iron) with zinc (usu. without the use of electricity) as a protection against rust.

Derivative

galvanization n. galvanizer n.

Etymology

F galvaniser: see GALVANISM

THESAURUS

galvanize

activate, actuate, amplify, animate, arouse, charge, chromium-plate, compel, copperplate, dynamize, electrify, electrogalvanize, electrogild, electrolyze, electroplate, energize, enliven, excite, exhilarate, fillip, fire, force, foster, generate, hearten, impel, inflame, infuse life into, invigorate, ionize, jazz up, kindle, liven, loop in, motivate, move, move to action, pep up, perk up, pick up, pique, plate, plug in, prime, promote, propel, provoke, quicken, renew, resuscitate, revive, rouse, set in motion, sharpen, shock, short, short-circuit, snap up, spark, step down, step up, stiffen, stimulate, switch off, switch on, turn off, turn on, vitalize, warm, whet, zip up

ROGET THESAURUS

galvanize

Excitation

VB excite, affect, touch, move, impress, strike, interest, animate, inspire, impassion, smite, infect, stir the blood, fire the blood, warm the blood, set astir, wake, awake, awaken, call forth, evoke, provoke, raise up, summon up, call up, wake up, blow up, get up, light up, raise, get up the steam, rouse, arouse, stir, fire, kindle, enkindle, apply the torch, set on fire, inflame, stimulate, exsuscitate, inspirit, spirit up, stir up, work up, pique, infuse life into, give new life to, bring new blood, introduce new blood, quicken, sharpen, whet, work upon, hurry on, give a fillip, put on one's mettle, fan the fire, fan the flame, blow the coals, stir the embers, fan into a flame, foster, heat, warm, foment, raise to a fever heat, keep up, keep the pot boiling, revive, rekindle, rake up, rip up, stir the feelings, play on the feelings, come home to the feelings, touch a string, touch a chord, touch the soul, touch the heart, go to one's heart, penetrate, pierce, go through one, touch to the quick, possess the soul, pervade the soul, penetrate the soul, imbrue the soul, absorb the soul, affect the soul, disturb the soul, absorb, rivet the attention, sink into the mind, sink into the heart, prey on the mind, distract, intoxicate, overwhelm, overpower, bouleverser, upset, turn one's head, fascinate, enrapture, agitate, perturb, ruffle, fluster, shake, disturb, startle, shock, stagger, give one a shock, give one a turn, strike all of a heap, stun, astound, electrify, galvanize, petrify, irritate, sting, cut to the heart, cut to the quick, try one's temper, fool to the top of one's bent, pique, infuriate, madden, make one's blood boil, lash into fury, be excited, flush up, flare up, catch the infection, thrill, mantle, work oneself up, seethe, boil, simmer, foam, fume, flame, rage, rave, run mad.

Covering

VB cover, superpose, superimpose, overlay, overspread, wrap, encase, incase, face, case, veneer, pave, paper, tip, cap, bind, bulkhead, bulkhead in, clapboard, coat, paint, varnish, pay, incrust, stucco, dab, plaster, tar, wash, besmear, bedaub, anoint, do over, gild, plate, japan, lacquer, lacker, enamel, whitewash, parget, lay it on thick, overlie, overarch, endome, conceal, anodize, galvanize.