nerve
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.
had been nerving
-
past perfect progressiveof nerve.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Last week, in the salty little city of Bath, Me., the moment lor which Mrs. Vanderbilt had been nerving herself finally arrived.
From Time Magazine Archive
They had walked up the short garden path, leaving Dick to settle with the cabman, who had been nerving himself for a tussle, and was surprised to find it unnecessary.
From The Squire's Daughter Being the First Book in the Chronicles of the Clintons by Archibald Marshall
He had been nerving himself during a long slow silence for that.
From Mary Wollaston by Henry Kitchell Webster
All the voyage from Phaleron he had been nerving himself for this ordeal; his composure did not desert now.
From A Victor of Salamis by William Stearns Davis
She had not spoken on the impulse of a moment; for days past she had been nerving herself to open Pixie’s eyes.
From The Love Affairs of Pixie by Mrs. George de Horne Vaizey
