galvanize

Verb

galvanize (third-person singular simple present galvanizes, present participle galvanizing, simple past and past participle galvanized)

1. (broadly, dated, transitive) To coat with a layer of metal by electrochemical means.

   Synonyms:

   electrogalvanize, electroplate

   1. (broadly, dated, transitive, usually) 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.
2. (figuratively, transitive) 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.
   • Republicans are hoping a proposed gas-tax repeal will galvanize their voters.

   Synonyms:

   animate, electrify, startle, urge, awaken, enflame, enkindle, enthrill, exagitate, excite

3. (archaic, transitive) To electrify, as by galvanism.
   • The agitations resembled the grinnings and writhings of a galvanized corpse, not the struggles of an athletic man.1835, Thomas Babington Macaulay, History (essay in the Edinburgh Review)

   Synonyms:

   electricalize, electricize, electrize

4. (US, historical, transitive) 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.1998, Tony Horwitz, Confederates in the Attic, 1st Vintage Departures edition, Vintage Books, →ISBN, page 10