\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.

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.