verb
galvanize
To stimulate a bodily response with electric current.
The researcher uses a weak electric current to galvanize the muscle.
Etymology
The verb is formed from Galvani’s name, associated with experiments on electrical stimulation of muscles. Its literal physiological sense preserves that connection.
More examples
- The current galvanizes the nerve, causing the muscle to contract.
- Students watch the frog's leg twitch as the instructor galvanizes it.
- The experiment measures how the muscle responds when galvanized.
Forms
galvanize · galvanizes · galvanized · galvanizing
galvanism noun — Stimulation of muscles or nerves by electricity.