Galvanism

Galvanism, gal′van-izm, n. a branch of the science of electricity which treats of electric currents produced by chemical agents.—adj. Galvan′ic, belonging to or exhibiting galvanism.—n. Galvanisā′tion.—v.t. Gal′vanīse, to subject to the action of a galvanic current: to confer a false vitality upon.—ns. Gal′vanist, Gal′vanīser; Galvan′ograph, a printing-surface resembling an engraved copper-plate, produced by an electrotype process from a drawing made with viscid ink on a silvered plate: an impression taken from such a plate; Galvanog′raphy; Galvanol′ogist, a student of galvanology; Galvanol′ogy, the science of galvanic phenomena; Galvanom′eter, an instrument for measuring the strength of galvanic currents; Galvanom′etry.—adj. Galvanoplas′tic.—ns. Galvanoplas′ty, electrotypy; Galvan′oscope, an instrument for detecting the existence and direction of an electric current.—Galvanic battery, a series of zinc or copper plates susceptible of galvanic action; Galvanised iron, the name given to iron coated with zinc to prevent rusting. [From Luigi Galvani, of Bologna, the discoverer (1737-98).]