nerve

[ nurv ]

noun

1. 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.
2. a sinew or tendon:

   to strain every nerve.

3. firmness or courage under trying circumstances:

   an assignment requiring nerve;

   to lose your nerve at the very last moment.

   Synonyms: intrepidity, steadfastness, resolution, fortitude

4. boldness; audacity; impudence; impertinence:

   He had the nerve to say that?

5. nerves, nervousness:

   an attack of nerves.

6. strength, vigor, or energy:

   a test of nerve and stamina.

   Synonyms: might, force, power

   Antonyms: weakness

7. (not in technical use) pulp tissue of a tooth.
8. Botany. a vein, as in a leaf.
9. a line, or one of a system of lines, extending across something.

verb (used with object)

, nerved, nerv·ing.

1. to give strength, vigor, or courage to:

   Encouragement had nerved him for the struggle.

   Synonyms: brace, steel, invigorate, fortify, strengthen

   Antonyms: weaken

nerve

/ nɜːv /

noun

1. 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 neural
2. courage, bravery, or steadfastness
3. lose one's nerve
   lose one's nerve to become timid, esp failing to perform some audacious act
4. informal.
   boldness or effrontery; impudence

   he had the nerve to swear at me

5. muscle or sinew (often in the phrase strain every nerve )
6. a large vein in a leaf
7. any of the veins of an insect's wing
8. touch a nerve
   touch a nervetouch a raw nervehit a nervehit a raw nervestrike a nervestrike a raw nerve to mention or bring to mind a sensitive issue or subject

verb

1. to give courage to (oneself); steel (oneself)
2. to provide with nerve or nerves

nerve

/ nûrv /

1. 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.

nerve

1. 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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nerve¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “nerve, tendon,” from Latin nervus “sinew, tendon”; akin to Greek neûron ( neuron ); replacing Middle English nerf, from Middle French, from Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of nerve¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. get on one's nerves, to irritate, annoy, or provoke one:

   Boisterous children get on my nerves.

2. have nerves of steel, to be able to control one’s fear or unease and remain calm and competent, even in the worst of circumstances:

   I thought I had nerves of steel, but when we had to dissect a pig, I turned into a jellyfish.

3. bundle of nerves. bundle of nerves ( def ).

More idioms and phrases containing 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 .

Example Sentences

For example, a 2017 study demonstrated that nerve signals could be used for precise control of prosthetic limbs.

From Fortune

For example, at least half a dozen studies have found that stimulating the limb area acupoint can suppress systemic inflammation, partially through the vagus nerve.

From Singularity Hub 

From remembering facts or conversations to improving musical or athletic skills, learning alters connections between nerve cells called synapses.

From No Straight News

The toxin, known by the initials TTX, stops nerve cells from sending signals that tell muscles to move.

From Science News For Students

Contradictory evidence means that no one knows whether SARS-CoV-2 can infect nerve cells in the brain directly, and if so, whether the virus’s route to the brain can sometimes start in the nose.

From Science News

Few have the nerve to call him and he's usually pleased when an old friend does.

From The Daily Beast

Then he lost his nerve and decided to live after all, and I called for help.

From The Daily Beast

“But bringing it to New York was a bit nerve-wracking,” he admits.

From The Daily Beast

For anyone—not just a fan—the first time performing on camera can be nerve wracking.

From The Daily Beast

She was a perky redhead of about 30 with lively blue eyes, a petite figure, and lots of nerve.

From The Daily Beast

It was Carmena, every nerve of her loyal nature on the alert to baffle this pursuer of Alessandro and Ramona.

From Project Gutenberg

To add point to this success, he knew that the victor of Montebello was straining every nerve to gain this very prize.

From Project Gutenberg

I hadn't the nerve to stand there and tell her she'd never see her father again this side of the pearly gates.

From Project Gutenberg

It was a hair-raising problem, too, and called for every ounce of nerve and every particle of skill the boy possessed.

From Project Gutenberg

This time it was really Mr. Bills, and Mrs. Biggs went out to meet him, while Eloise felt every nerve quiver with dread.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• confidence
• courage
• determination
• fortitude
• grit
• heart
• spirit
• stomach