galvanize
Translation
to shock or excite someone into taking action, to coat with a protective layer of zinc
Examples
The speech galvanized the crowd into action.
The speech galvanized the crowd into action.
The steel was galvanized to prevent rust.
The steel was galvanized to prevent rust.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.)) ((into sth.)) to shock or excite (sb.) into (doing sth.) The speech galvanized the crowd into action.
((sth.)) to coat (sth.) with zinc The steel was galvanized to prevent rust.
Similar Words
Synonyms: spur, motivate, stimulate, rouse
Etymology
Named after Luigi Galvani, an Italian scientist. His discoveries in electricity led to the meaning 'to stimulate with electricity', and then figuratively 'to shock into action'.
Memory Tips
Imagine a jolt of electricity (from Galvani's experiments) shocking someone into action.