galvanize

galvanize
    v 1: to stimulate to action ; "..startled him awake";
         "galvanized into action" [syn: {startle}, {galvanize},
         {galvanise}]
    2: cover with zinc; "galvanize steel" [syn: {galvanize},
       {galvanise}]
    3: stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock [syn:
       {galvanize}, {galvanise}]
    

Galvanize \Gal"va*nize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Galvanized}; p pr.
   & vb. n. {Galvanizing}.] [Cf. F. galvaniser.]
   1. To affect with galvanism; to subject to the action of
      electrical currents.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To plate, as with gold, silver, etc., by means of
      electricity.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. To restore to consciousness by galvanic action (as from a
      state of suspended animation); hence, to stimulate or
      excite to a factitious animation or activity.
      [1913 Webster]

   4. To coat, as iron, with zinc. See {Galvanized iron}.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Galvanized iron}, formerly, iron coated with zink by
      electrical deposition; now more commonly, iron coated with
      zink by plunging into a bath of melted zink, after its
      surface has been cleaned by friction with the aid of
      dilute acid.
      [1913 Webster]
    

71 Moby Thesaurus words for "galvanize":
      activate, actuate, amplify, animate, arouse, charge,
      chromium-plate, compel, copperplate, dynamize, electrify,
      electrogalvanize, electrogild, electrolyze, electroplate, energize,
      enliven, excite, exhilarate, fillip, fire, force, foster, generate,
      hearten, impel, inflame, infuse life into, invigorate, ionize,
      jazz up, kindle, liven, loop in, motivate, move, move to action,
      pep up, perk up, pick up, pique, plate, plug in, prime, promote,
      propel, provoke, quicken, renew, resuscitate, revive, rouse,
      set in motion, sharpen, shock, short, short-circuit, snap up,
      spark, step down, step up, stiffen, stimulate, switch off,
      switch on, turn off, turn on, vitalize, warm, whet, zip up