galvanize

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/

Verb

galvanize (galvanizes, present participle galvanizing; past and past participle galvanized) (transitive)

1. (chemistry) To coat with a thin layer of metal by electrochemical means.

   Synonyms: electroplate, zinc

2. To coat with rust-resistant zinc.

   to galvanize steel

3. (figurative) To shock or stimulate into sudden activity, as if by electric shock.

   Synonyms: animate, startle, urge

   The girl’s picture helped galvanize public opinion against the administration’s policy.

   Republicans are hoping a proposed gas-tax repeal will galvanize their voters.

4. (archaic) To electrify.
   • 1835, Thomas Babington Macaulay, History (essay in the Edinburgh Review)

     The agitations resembled the grinnings and writhings of a galvanized corpse, not the struggles of an athletic man.

5. (historical, US) To switch sides between Union and Confederate in the American Civil War.

Related terms

• galvanic

Translations

• French: galvaniser
• German: verzinken
• Italian: galvanizzare
• Portuguese: galvanizar
• Russian: оцинко́вывать
• Spanish: galvanizar

Translations

• French: galvaniser
• German: galvanisieren
• Italian: galvanizzare
• Portuguese: galvanizar
• Russian: гальванизи́ровать
• Spanish: galvanizar

Translations

• French: galvaniser
• German: aufrütteln, aufschrecken, wachrütteln, einen Impuls setzen, beleben
• Italian: galvanizzare, stimolare, spingere, incitare, spronare, elettrizzare
• Russian: оживля́ть
• Spanish: galvanizar, espabilar, asustar, estimular

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