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

Dispensatory: This plant “produces no very obvious effects,” but some doctors regard it as possessed of nervine, antispasmodic and tonic properties.

From The Sacred Formulas of the Cherokees Seventh Annual Report of the Bureau of Ethnology to the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, 1885-1886, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1891, pages 301-398 by Mooney, James

Caffeine and theobromine enjoy nervine properties and energetic vascular actions.

From The Healthy Life, Vol. V, Nos. 24-28 The Independent Health Magazine by Daniel, Charles William

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

In the sense of nervous weakness, or, perhaps more correctly, nervine weakness, the word should probably be nervish, analogous to qualmish, squeamish, aguish, feverish, &c.

From Notes and Queries, Vol. IV, Number 99, September 20, 1851 A Medium of Inter-communication for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc. by Various