Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • transitive verb To produce electric charge on or in (a conductor).
  • transitive verb To wire or equip (a building, for example) for the use of electric power.
  • transitive verb To provide with electric power.
  • transitive verb Music To amplify (music) by electronic means.
  • transitive verb To thrill, startle greatly, or shock.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • To communicate electricity to; charge with electricity; make electric: as, to electrify a jar.
  • To cause electricity to pass through; affect by electricity; give an electric shock to: as, to electrify a limb.
  • To excite suddenly; give a sudden shock to; surprise with some sudden and startling effect, of a brilliant or shocking nature; startle greatly; thrill: as, the whole assembly was electrified.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • intransitive verb To become electric.
  • transitive verb To communicate electricity to; to charge with electricity.
  • transitive verb To cause electricity to pass through; to affect by electricity; to give an electric shock to.
  • transitive verb To excite suddenly and violently, esp. by something highly delightful or inspiriting; to thrill.
  • transitive verb To equip for employment of electric power; to modify (a device) so that it uses electrical power as the main source of energy.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • verb To communicate electricity to; to charge with electricity; as, to electrify a jar.
  • verb To cause electricity to pass through; to affect by electricity; to give an electric shock to; as, to electrify a limb, or the body.
  • verb To excite suddenly and violently, especially by something highly delightful or inspiriting; to thrill; as, this patriotic sentiment electrified the audience.
  • verb To become electric.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • verb excite suddenly and intensely
  • verb charge (a conductor) with electricity
  • verb equip for use with electricity

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[electri(c) + –fy.]

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Examples

  • It took Palin to "electrify" (defibrilate) McCain's failing campaign in the general election, but she represents a complete abandonment of the middle by the McCain handlers, who grow more desperate with every rare, reliable poll.

    McCain Campaign Slams New York Times: Not A Journalistic Organization "By Any Standard" 2009

  • Last Winter (a year ago), MmaDiapo hosted 3 Eskom (the national electricity company) workers for a week while they were trying to "electrify" a few homes in this area.

    Archive 2009-08-01 Megan aka Mmapula Reamogetse 2009

  • Last Winter (a year ago), MmaDiapo hosted 3 Eskom (the national electricity company) workers for a week while they were trying to "electrify" a few homes in this area.

    Jika Ma Jika, Cake And Family Megan aka Mmapula Reamogetse 2009

  • Cone went into the Yankees clubhouse during the game to watch the game on TV and get a better look at Irabu's 100-mph fastball and 90-mph split-finger, then said that Irabu can "electrify"

    Yanks hope Irabu has opponents' 'number' 1997

  • In addition, Chevrolet will "electrify" the red carpet with a show-stopping display of the extended-range electric vehicle Chevy Volt Concept car.

    Auto Spectator - New car models and auto industry info, car reviews, motorsports, alternative fuel vehicles and more 2009

  • He would soon electrify the voters of Minnesota with his vision for a new political organization, the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, and became one of the most influential progressive leaders of his time.

    The Good Fight Walter F. Mondale 2010

  • He would soon electrify the voters of Minnesota with his vision for a new political organization, the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, and became one of the most influential progressive leaders of his time.

    The Good Fight Walter F. Mondale 2010

  • He would soon electrify the voters of Minnesota with his vision for a new political organization, the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party, and became one of the most influential progressive leaders of his time.

    The Good Fight Walter F. Mondale 2010

  • We didn't say we were going to electrify the country in six months!

    Liberia's President Sirleaf: 'We've made progress but there's much more to do' 2011

  • However, no one is sure when the first segment running from Merced to Fresno would be operable since the state lacks the money to build and electrify the tracks.

    High-Speed Railroad Job 2011

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