nerve

[ nurv ]

/ nɜrv /

noun

one or more bundles of fibers forming part of a system that conveys impulses of sensation, motion, etc., between the brain or spinal cord and other parts of the body.

a sinew or tendon: to strain every nerve.

firmness or courage under trying circumstances: an assignment requiring nerve.

boldness; audacity; impudence; impertinence: He had the nerve to say that?

nerves, nervousness: an attack of nerves.

strength, vigor, or energy: a test of nerve and stamina.

(not in technical use) pulp tissue of a tooth.

Botany. a vein, as in a leaf.

a line, or one of a system of lines, extending across something.

verb (used with object), nerved, nerv·ing.

to give strength, vigor, or courage to: Encouragement had nerved him for the struggle.

Idioms for nerve

get on one's nerves, to irritate, annoy, or provoke one: Boisterous children get on my nerves.

Origin of nerve

1350–1400; Middle English: nerve, tendon < Latin nervus sinew, tendon; akin to Greek neûron (see neuron); replacing Middle English nerf < Middle French < Latin, as above

SYNONYMS FOR nerve

3 steadfastness, intrepidity, fortitude, resolution.

6 power, force, might.

10 strengthen, fortify, invigorate, steel, brace.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR nerve ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR nerve

6 weakness.

10 weaken.

SEE ANTONYMS FOR nerve ON THESAURUS.COM

Words nearby nerve

neruda, pablo, nerva, nerval, nervate, nervation, nerve, nerve avulsion, nerve block, nerve block anesthesia, nerve cell, nerve center

Example sentences from the Web for nerves

I was going to ask if you had nerves about opening on Broadway without a marquee name.

Nigel Lythgoe on How to Save Reality TV, ‘On the Town,’ and ‘Brokeback Ballroom’ |Kevin Fallon |October 22, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
It took a special, meticulous kind of person to accomplish the undertaking, someone with brains, patience, and nerves of steel.

The High Society Bank Robber of the 1800s |J. North Conway |October 19, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
So I was more wrought with nerves about that than almost anything in that number.

Oscars Host Neil Patrick Harris on His Best and Worst Emcee Moments (VIDEO) |Neil Patrick Harris |October 15, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The thought of wearing shorts and swimsuits preyed on her nerves.

‘All About That Bass’ Singer Meghan Trainor On Haters and Her Polarizing (and Unlikely) No. 1 Hit |Marlow Stern |October 7, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

Not surprisingly, this laid-back ball of nerves is also both intensely rational and explosively emotional.

Will the Real Jim Palmer Please Stand Up |Tom Boswell |September 27, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Marie's nerves had given way, and she lay in a chair sobbing with weakness.

Menotah |Ernest G. Henham
Are your cares as a guardian wearing on your nerves, and bringing a need of stimulants?

That Girl Montana |Marah Ellis Ryan
The easy and (as we then thought) the rapid rate of traveling had its invigorating effect on her nerves.

The Two Destinies |Wilkie Collins
I am afraid there may be an explosion; and you know my nerves can't stand much of a shock.

Macleod of Dare |William Black
In poisonous doses it depresses the circulation and the nerves generally, but it causes no stupor or insensibility.

The Action of Medicines in the System |Frederick William Headland

British Dictionary definitions for nerves (1 of 2)

nerves

/ (nɜːvz) /

pl n informal

the imagined source of emotional control my nerves won't stand it

anxiety, tension, or imbalance she's all nerves

bundle of nerves a very nervous person

get on one's nerves to irritate, annoy, or upset one

British Dictionary definitions for nerves (2 of 2)

nerve

/ (nɜːv) /

noun

any of the cordlike bundles of fibres that conduct sensory or motor impulses between the brain or spinal cord and another part of the body Related adjective: neural

courage, bravery, or steadfastness

lose one's nerve to become timid, esp failing to perform some audacious act

informal boldness or effrontery; impudence he had the nerve to swear at me

muscle or sinew (often in the phrase strain every nerve)

a large vein in a leaf

any of the veins of an insect's wing

touch a nerve, touch a raw nerve, hit a nerve, hit a raw nerve, strike a nerve or strike a raw nerve to mention or bring to mind a sensitive issue or subject

verb (tr)

to give courage to (oneself); steel (oneself)

to provide with nerve or nerves

Word Origin for nerve

C16: from Latin nervus; related to Greek neuron; compare Sanskrit snāvan sinew

Medical definitions for nerves

nerve

[ nûrv ]

n.

Any of the cordlike bundles of nervous tissue made up of myelinated or unmyelinated nerve fibers and held together by a connective tissue sheath through which sensory stimuli and motor impulses pass between the brain or other parts of the central nervous system and the eyes, glands, muscles, and other parts of the body.

The sensitive tissue in the pulp of a tooth.

nerves Nervous agitation caused by fear, anxiety, or stress.

Scientific definitions for nerves

nerve

[ nûrv ]

Any of the bundles of fibers made up of neurons that carry sensory and motor information throughout the body in the form of electrical impulses. Afferent nerves carry information to the central nervous system, and efferent nerves carry information from the central nervous system to the muscles, organs, and glands. Efferent nerves include the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which control voluntary motor activity and of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary motor activity.

Cultural definitions for nerves

nerve

A bundle of fibers composed of neurons that connects the body parts and organs to the central nervous system and carries impulses from one part of the body to another.

Idioms and Phrases with nerves

nerve

see bundle of nerves; get on someone's nerves; get up (one's nerve); have a nerve; lose one's nerve; of all the nerve; war of nerves.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

nerve

noun