Galvanism
Galvanism , noun
[From Galvani: compare French galvanisme. See Galvanic.]
(a)
(Physics) Electricity excited by the mutual action of certain liquids and metals; dynamical electricity.
(b)
(Physics) The branch of physical science which treats of dynamical electricity, or the properties and effects of electrical currents.
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.