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NERVOUSLY

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nerv⋅ous

  [nur-vuhs]
Use NERVOUSLY in a Sentence
–adjective
1. highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive: to become nervous under stress.
2. of or pertaining to the nerves: nervous tension.
3. affecting the nerves: nervous diseases.
4. suffering from, characterized by, or originating in disordered nerves.
5. characterized by or attended with acute uneasiness or apprehension: a nervous moment for us all.
6. having or containing nerves.
7. sinewy or strong.
8. Archaic. vigorous or spirited.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L nervōsus sinewy, equiv. to nerv(us) nerve + -ōsus -ous

Related forms:
nerv⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
nerv⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. fearful, timid, timorous.

Antonyms:
1. confident, bold.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To NERVOUSLY
nerv·ous   (nûr'vəs)   
adj.  

    1. Of or relating to the nerves or nervous system: nervous tissue.

    2. Stemming from or affecting the nerves or nervous system: a nervous disorder.

  2. Easily agitated or distressed; high-strung or jumpy.

  3. Marked by or having a feeling of unease or apprehension: nervous moments before takeoff.

  4. Vigorous in style or feeling; spirited: "the nervous thrust of a modern creation" (Henry A. Kissinger).

  5. Archaic Strong; sinewy.


[Middle English, sinewy, containing nerves, from Latin nervōsus, sinewy, from nervus, sinew; see nerve.]
nerv'ous·ly adv., nerv'ous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

nervous 
c.1400, "affecting the sinews," from L. nervosus "sinewy, vigorous," from nervus "sinew, nerve" (see nerve). Sense of "of or belonging to the nerves" in the modern sense is from 1665. Meaning "suffering disorder of the nervous system" is from 1734; illogical sense "restless, agitated, lacking nerve" is 1740. Widespread popular use as a euphemism for mental forced the medical community to coin neurological to replace it in the older sense. Nervous wreck first attested 1899.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ner·vous
Pronunciation: 'n&r-v&s
Function: adjective
1 : of, relating to, or composed of neurons nervouslayer of the eye>
2 a : of or relating to the nerves; also : originating in or affected by the nerves <nervous energy> b : easilyexcited or irritated —ner·vous·ly adverb —ner·vous·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

nervous nerv·ous (nûr'vəs)
adj.

  1. Of or relating to the nerves or nervous system.

  2. Stemming from or affecting the nerves or nervous system, as a disease.

  3. Easily agitated or distressed.

nerv'ous·ness n.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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