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

See Examples For:

nervine

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 James Mooney

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 William Cowper Brann

I need scarcely say that I have never used any other "nervine stimulants."

From Study and Stimulants; Or, the Use of Intoxicants and Narcotics in Relation to Intellectual Life by Alfred Arthur Reade

This is a valuable nervine and antispasmodic, and has been used with great success, in my practice, for allaying nervous irritability.

From The American Reformed Cattle Doctor by George Dadd