electrify
/ɪˈlɛktrɪfʌɪ
/verb (electrifies, electrifying, electrified) [with object]
1Charge (a medium) with electricity; pass an electric current through: (as adjective electrified) an electrified fence...
- Construction of the four-and-a-half mile timber and wire fence and an inner electrified fence will begin in April, according to the project manager.
- We were told there would be a romper room, but it seems there are only dangerous, mined areas and electrified chain fences where kids could easily injure themselves on flying shrapnel.
- Well at least they knew the fence wasn't electrified.
1.1Convert (a machine or system, especially a railway line) to the use of electrical power: the east coast main line has been electrified...
- When the lines were electrified, great care was taken to minimise the negative aesthetic impact of overhead wires and line poles.
- He added: ‘It is now coming home that the Glasgow to Edinburgh route will never be anything more than a ‘touch and go’ service until the line is fully electrified.’
- The company concedes that the present timetable, which was set out when the system was electrified in 1967, cannot cope with increasing passenger numbers.
Synonyms
convert to electricity, wire up, install electric wiring in
2 (often as adjective electrifying) Cause a sudden sense of thrilling excitement in (someone): an electrifying performance...
- Come with me down these echoing stairs into the lovely suite known as Radiology, where the internal secrets of even the most electrifying celebrities are exposed with all their flaws.
- Chelsea's continued interest in Barcelona's electrifying striker Samuel Eto'o has only intensified the clubs' mutual dislike.
- Guerrero, 27, is one of the game's most electrifying players, a hitter equally adept at crushing pitches that are a foot over his head or an inch off the ground.
Synonyms
excite, thrill, stimulate, arouse, rouse, inspire, stir (up), exhilarate, intoxicate, galvanize, move, motivate, fire (with enthusiasm), fire someone's imagination, invigorate, animate, get someone going;
startle, jolt, shock;
North American light a fire under
informal give someone a buzz, give someone a kick
North American informal give someone a charge
Derivatives
electrifier
- Most of the book and its novel material concern the encounter between rural electrifiers and farmers.
- The blood electrifier is a relatively simple multivibrator circuit that produces a square wave output at 3.92 Hz.
- Up to a Five KM Fence may Be Electrified with One Electrifier Unit.
Origin
Mid 18th century: from electric + -fy.