[gal.va.nize] vb -nized ; -niz.ing vt (1802) 1 a: to subject to the action of an electric current esp. for the purpose of stimulating physiologically "~ a muscle" b: to stimulate or excite as if by an electric shock "an issue that would ~ public opinion"
2: to coat (iron or steel) with zinc; esp: to immerse in molten zinc to produce a coating of zinc-iron alloy ~ vi: to react as if stimulated by an electric shock "they galvanized into action" -- gal.va.ni.za.tion n -- gal.va.niz.er n