Try Our Apps
Dictionary.com

follow Dictionary.com

90s Slang You Should Know

innervate

[ih-nur-veyt, in-er-veyt] /ɪˈnɜr veɪt, ˈɪn ərˌveɪt/
See more synonyms on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object), innervated, innervating.
1.
to communicate nervous energy to; stimulate through nerves.
2.
to furnish with nerves; grow nerves into.
Origin of innervate
1865-1870
First recorded in 1865-70; in-2 + nerve + -ate1
Can be confused
energize, enervate, innervate, invigorate.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2017.
Cite This Source
Examples from the Web for innervate
Historical Examples
British Dictionary definitions for innervate

innervate

/ˈɪnɜːˌveɪt/
verb (transitive)
1.
to supply nerves to (a bodily organ or part)
2.
to stimulate (a bodily organ or part) with nerve impulses
Derived Forms
innervation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cite This Source
Word Origin and History for innervate
v.

1870, from in- (2) "in" + Latin nervus (see nerve) + -ate. Probably rather a back-formation from innervation (1832). Related: Innervated. Innervation in psychology is from 1880.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
innervate in Medicine

innervate in·ner·vate (ĭ-nûr'vāt', ĭn'ər-)
v. in·ner·vat·ed, in·ner·vat·ing, in·ner·vates

  1. To supply an organ or a body part with nerves.

  2. To stimulate a nerve, muscle, or body part to action.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source

Word of the Day

Difficulty index for innervate

Some English speakers likely know this word

Word Value for innervate

0
15
Scrabble Words With Friends

Related Words

Nearby words for innervate

We’ve updated our TOS and Privacy Policy. Click Here.