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: resolution, fortitude, intrepidity, steadfastness

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, nerving 

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

2. courage, bravery, or steadfastness

3. 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. 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

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. bundle of nerves. bundle of 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. get on one's nerves, to irritate, annoy, or provoke one.

   Boisterous children get on my nerves.

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

“I knew it would touch a nerve,” Peck, 72, says over Zoom from New York.

From Los Angeles Times

Human hands, however, are equipped with thousands of nerve endings of dizzying variety, giving fingers the feedback needed to grip and manipulate tools.

From Los Angeles Times

As the nerve cells stop working, swallowing and breathing become more challenging and many people need feeding tubes or breathing apparatus to help them stay alive.

From BBC

After physiotherapy failed to improve the problem, a series of scans showed nerves in his brain and spinal cord had been damaged by MND.

From BBC

Whether James, who was held out of early training camp practices because of nerve irritation in his glute, will play in the preseason remains to be seen.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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