galvanic

adjective

gal·​van·​ic gal-ˈva-nik How to pronounce galvanic (audio)
1
a
: of, relating to, or producing a direct current of electricity
a galvanic cell
b
: caused by galvanism
used especially of the corrosion of metallic objects as a result of electrolytic action
… an effective alternative to conventional copper paints that cause galvanic corrosion of metals underwater.Cruising World
2
a
: having an electric effect : intensely exciting
a galvanic performance
b
: produced as if by an electric shock
had a galvanic effect on the audience
galvanically adverb

Examples of galvanic in a Sentence

Her performance had a galvanic effect on the audience. her galvanic rendition of the song received rapturous applause
Recent Examples on the Web In the course of a long, prolific, and galvanic career, Ellroy has revisited the same scenes, the same characters, killing them off, reviving them. Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023 The device's red light therapy minimizes the look of fine lines and wrinkles, the light vibrations massage the skin for an awake appearance, the warm temperature de-puffs, and galvanic currents increase the effectiveness of skincare products. Alyssa Grabinski, Peoplemag, 2 May 2023 The award-winning blues singer-songwriter is also a galvanic guitarist on both electric and lap steel. BostonGlobe.com, 19 Apr. 2023 That ushered in generations of galvanic screen actors, from Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift to Hoffman and De Niro. Brent Lang, Variety, 6 Apr. 2023 As much as Black was a master of pacing, a fine crafter of set pieces, and delightfully de trop as a writer of snappy, manly dialogue, the most galvanic features manifested themselves in stage directions, interstitial material steering the reader through the gleeful nonsense. Wyatt Mason, Harper’s Magazine , 6 Jan. 2023 Brown Neon buzzes with galvanic intelligence. Hanif Abdurraqib, BostonGlobe.com, 10 June 2022 Richards says that iron and steel wrecks will corrode faster in salt water because the saline conditions create galvanic corrosion. Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 13 Feb. 2023 Halina Dyrschka’s 2019 film Beyond the Visible, the first feature-length documentary about af Klint, explores the breadth and depth of her legacy from a revisionist art history perspective that’s nothing short of galvanic. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'galvanic.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French galvanique, from galvanisme galvanism + -ique -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of galvanic was in 1797

Dictionary Entries Near galvanic

Cite this Entry

“Galvanic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galvanic. Accessed 25 Sep. 2023.

Medical Definition

galvanic

adjective
gal·​van·​ic gal-ˈvan-ik How to pronounce galvanic (audio)
: of, relating to, involving, or producing a direct current of electricity
galvanic stimulation of flaccid muscles
compare faradic
galvanically adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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