[syn: galvanize, galvanise]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Galvanize \Gal"va*nize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Galvanized; p pr.
& vb. n. Galvanizing.] [Cf. F. galvaniser.]
1. To affect with galvanism; to subject to the action of
electrical currents.
[1913 Webster]
2. To plate, as with gold, silver, etc., by means of
electricity.
[1913 Webster]
3. 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]
4. 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.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
galvanize
v 1: to stimulate to action ; "..startled him awake";
"galvanized into action" [syn: startle, galvanize,
galvanise]
2: cover with zinc; "galvanize steel" [syn: galvanize,
galvanise]
3: stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock [syn:
galvanize, galvanise]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
71 Moby Thesaurus words for "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