galvanism

From French galvanisme, after physiologist Luigi Alyisio Galvani (1737–1798) + -isme.

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡælvəˌnɪzəm/

galvanism (usually uncountable, plural galvanisms)

1. The chemical generation of electricity.
2. The (therapeutic) use of electricity directly applied to the body.
   • 1831 October 15, Mary W[ollstonecraft] Shelley, “Introduction”, in Frankenstein: Or, The Modern Prometheus (Standard Novels; IX), 3rd edition, London: Henry Colburn and Richard Bentley, […], published 31 October 1831, →OCLC, page x:

     Perhaps a corpse would be re-animated; galvanism had given token of such things: perhaps the component parts of a creature might be manufactured, brought together, and endued with vital warmth.

   • 1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 101:

     The sudden application of galvanism to bands of savages may fairly rank as a new sensation, and they, thinking the wire held this strange and mysterious power, wisely left it alone.

   • 1892, Journal of Electrotherapeutics: Volume 10:

     Erb and Remak in Germany, Beard and Rockwell and Althans in America, have used it with advantage, in the forms of galvanisms and faradisms, in the treatment of joint troubles.

• galvanic
• galvanical
• galvanically

• OED2

• Galvanism on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Borrowed from French galvanisme.

galvanism n (uncountable)

1. galvanism