galvanize
pronunciation
How to pronounce galvanize in British English:
UK [ˈgælvənaɪz]
How to pronounce galvanize in American English:
US [ˈɡælvəˌnaɪz]
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- Verb:
- to stimulate to action
- cover with zinc
- stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
Word Origin
- galvanize
- galvanize: [19] The verb galvanize commemorates the work of Italian physicist Luigi Galvani (1737–98), who in 1762 discovered voltaic electricity by attaching the legs of dead frogs to pairs of different metals. It was first used literally, for the production of muscular spasms by electrical means (Sydney Smith in 1825: ‘Galvanize a frog, don’t galvanize a tiger’), but by the mid-19th century it was being employed figuratively, for ‘stimulate, spur’. The sense ‘coat electrolytically with metal’, dates from the 1830s.
- galvanize (v.)
- 1801, "stimulate by galvanic electricity," from French galvaniser, from galvanisme (see galvanism). Figurative sense of "excite, stimulate (as if by electricity)" first recorded 1853 (galvanic was in figurative use in 1807). 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.
Example
- 1. It may galvanize the government and unify the people in rebuilding infrastructure .
- 2. April 's trade data for the country contain little to galvanize fractious global commodity markets .
- 3. Still , the major countries have been unable to galvanize themselves into action .
- 4. Speaking to the wall street journal at the court monday , mr. anwar said the trial will galvanize the opposition .
- 5. " You always hope that will galvanize some health-care professionals to be more aware , " said delamater , who was not involved with the study .