galvanise
- Verb (transitive):
- To stimulate or excite (someone or something) into sudden activity: To cause a person, group, or system to act with renewed energy or urgency, often in response to a shock or strong stimulus.
- To coat (iron or steel) with a protective layer of zinc: To apply a zinc coating through an electrochemical process to prevent rusting.
- (Archaic) To administer an electric shock: To stimulate muscles or nerves by applying an electric current.
Verb (stimulate to action): The alarming report galvanised the committee into reviewing their policies immediately. Her powerful speech galvanised the audience, inspiring many to volunteer.
Verb (coat with zinc): The steel beams for the bridge were galvanised to protect them from corrosion. A galvanised bucket will last much longer in the garden than an untreated one.
- "to galvanise someone/something into (doing) something": This is the most common figurative construction, describing the act of provoking a sudden, energetic response.
- Galvanize: The preferred spelling in American English for all meanings. The word 'galvanise' is the standard spelling in British English.
- Galvanisation/Galvanization (noun): The process or result of being galvanised. (figurative) (literal)
- Galvanising/Galvanizing (adjective): Having the effect of stimulating; or, coated with zinc. (figurative) (literal)
- Stimulate, Rouse, Energise, Electrify, Jolt, Spur, Provoke: (For the figurative meaning of inciting action).
- Coat, Plate: (For the literal meaning of applying a zinc layer).
- Demotivate, Discourage, Deter, Calm, Soothe: (For the figurative meaning).
- Strip, Corrode: (For the literal meaning).
The word originates from the name of Luigi Galvani (1737–1798), an Italian scientist who studied the effects of electricity on animal tissues. The literal meaning (to apply an electric current) came first, followed by the metallurgical sense (early 19th century, due to the electrochemical process involved). The now more common figurative sense, "to shock or excite into action," developed from these earlier uses.
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stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
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cover with zinc
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galvanize steel
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to stimulate to action
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..startled him awake
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galvanized into action
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