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.

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.

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.