galvanism

3 definitions found

galvanism - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Galvanism \Gal"va*nism\, n. [From Galvani: cf. F. galvanisme.
     See Galvanic.] (Physics)
     (a) Electricity excited by the mutual action of certain
         liquids and metals; dynamical electricity.
     (b) The branch of physical science which treats of dynamical
         elecricity, or the properties and effects of electrical
         currents.
         [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The words galvanism and galvanic, formerly in very
           general use, are now rarely employed. For the latter,
           voltaic, from the name of Volta, is commonly used.
           [1913 Webster]

  Voltaism \Vol"ta*ism\, n. [Cf. F. volta["i]sme.] (Physics)
     That form of electricity which is developed by the chemical
     action between metals and different liquids; voltaic
     electricity; also, the science which treats of this form of
     electricity; -- called also galvanism, from Galvani, on
     account of his experiments showing the remarkable influence
     of this agent on animals.
     [1913 Webster]

galvanism - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  galvanism
      n 1: electricity produced by chemical action
      2: the therapeutic application of electricity to the body (as in
         the treatment of various forms of paralysis) [syn:
         electrotherapy, galvanism, electric healing,
         electrical healing]