galvanize
UK: ˈɡælvənaɪz | US: ˈɡælvənaɪz
vt. to shock or excite someone into taking action
vt. to coat metal with zinc to prevent rusting
The word "galvanize" derives from Luigi Galvani (1737–1798), an Italian scientist who discovered that electricity could make muscles contract in dead frogs. The root "galvan" honors his work, while the suffix "-ize" turns it into a verb meaning "to stimulate as if by electricity." Later, the term expanded to describe zinc-coating (due to the electrochemical process involved). The dual meanings reflect both literal and metaphorical "activation."
The speech galvanized the crowd into protesting.
The factory galvanizes steel beams for construction.
A crisis often galvanizes people to act.
The team was galvanized by their coach’s inspiring words.
Galvanized nails resist rust better than untreated ones.