galvanize
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galvanize
- /ˈɡælvənaɪ̯z/
Where it comes from
Learned borrowing from French galvaniser. By surface analysis, galvano- + -ize. Named after Italian physiologist Luigi Aloisio Galvani (1737–1798).
verb galvanizes · galvanizing · galvanized · galvanise
-
To coat with a layer of metal by electrochemical means.
Similar: electrogalvanize, electroplate
-
To coat with a layer of zinc (for rust resistance) by electrochemical means.
We then galvanize the steel so that the zinc coating will sacrificially take the corrosion for many years.
Similar: electrogalvanize, electroplate, zinc
-
To shock or stimulate into sudden activity, as if by electric shock.
The girl’s picture helped galvanize public opinion against the administration’s policy.
Similar: animate, electrify, startle, urge, awaken, enflame, enkindle, enthrill, exagitate, excite, exhilarate, exsuscitate
-
To electrify, as by galvanism.
The agitations resembled the grinnings and writhings of a galvanized corpse, not the struggles of an athletic man.
Similar: electricalize, electricize, electrize
- To switch sides between Union and Confederate in the American Civil War. Reenactors called this “galvanizing,” the Civil War term for soldiers who switched sides during the conflict.
Translations
Every language
verb to coat with a thin layer of metal by electrochemical means
| Español | galvanizar |
|---|---|
| 日本語 | 活性化する kasseika suru |
| 中文 | 電鍍 /电镀 diàndù |
| Português | galvanizar |
| Français | galvaniser |
| Deutsch | galvanisieren |
| Italiano | galvanizzare |
| Ελληνικά | γαλβανίζω galvanízo |
| Русский | гальванизи́ровать galʹvanizírovatʹ |
verb to coat with rust-resistant zinc
| Español | galvanizar |
|---|---|
| 中文 | 鍍鋅 /镀锌 dùxīn |
| Português | galvanizar |
| Français | galvaniser |
| Deutsch | verzinken |
| Italiano | galvanizzare |
| Ελληνικά | γαλβανίζω galvanízo |
| Русский | оцинко́вывать ocinkóvyvatʹ, оцинкова́ть ocinkovátʹ |
verb to shock or stimulate into sudden activity
| Español | galvanizar, espabilar, asustar, estimular |
|---|---|
| Français | galvaniser |
| Deutsch | aufrütteln, aufschrecken, wachrütteln, einen Impuls setzen, beleben |
| Italiano | galvanizzare, stimolare, spingere, incitare, spronare, elettrizzare |
| Ελληνικά | ξεσηκώνω xesikóno |
| Русский | оживля́ть oživljátʹ, оживи́ть oživítʹ |
Talk about this word "galvanize." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/galvanize. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. galvanize. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/galvanize "galvanize." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/galvanize.Cite this
@misc{galvanize_2026,
title = {galvanize},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/galvanize},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
