nervine

American  

[nur-veen, -vahyn] / ˈnɜr vin, -vaɪn /

adjective

1. of or relating to the nerves.

2. acting on or relieving disorders of the nerves; soothing the nerves.

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noun

1. a nervine medicine.

nervine British  

/ ˈnɜːviːn /

adjective

1. having a soothing or calming effect upon the nerves

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noun

1. obsolete a nervine drug or agent

Etymology

Origin of nervine

1655–65; < New Latin nervīnus, equivalent to Latin nerv ( us ) nerve + -īnus -ine ¹

Example Sentences

Rebuilder of the adrenals, borage is a deep-acting nervine suited to times of exhaustion and low spirits.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 2024

The root is tonic, febrifuge and expectorant and the fruit nervine and emmenagogue according to the Sanscrit writer.

From The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by Thomas, Jerome Beers

Captain Leezur was softly but strenuously sucking a nervine lozenge.

From Vesty of the Basins by Greene, Sarah P. McLean

But it is when Jay Jay ribs himself up with a powerful nervine and tackles government by injunction that he really rises into the realm of pure humor—becomes serious, so to speak.

From Brann the Iconoclast — Volume 10 by Brann, William Cowper

It has a nervine property, by which it excites the nervous system inordinately, and exhilarates the brain.

From Fifteen Years in Hell by Benson, Luther