galvanized

UK: ˈɡælvənaɪzd | US: ˈɡælvənaɪzd

Definition
  1. adj. (of metal) coated with zinc to prevent rust

  2. vt. stimulated or excited into sudden action

Structure
galvan <electricity (from Luigi Galvani)>ize <verb suffix (to make)>ed <past participle suffix>
Etymology

The word "galvanized" derives from Luigi Galvani, an 18th-century scientist who discovered the connection between electricity and muscle movement. The verb "galvanize" originally meant "to stimulate by electric current" (inspired by Galvani's experiments), later expanding metaphorically to mean "to excite or spur into action." In metallurgy, "galvanizing" refers to coating metal with zinc using an electrochemical process, preserving the word’s link to electricity.

Examples
  1. The fence was galvanized to resist corrosion.

  2. Her speech galvanized the crowd into protesting.

  3. Galvanized steel is commonly used in construction.

  4. The team felt galvanized after their coach’s motivational talk.

  5. He galvanized the rusty nails before using them.