Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

Nerve

 - 7 dictionary results

nerve

[nurv] noun, verb, nerved, nerv⋅ing.
–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.
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.
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)
10. to give strength, vigor, or courage to: Encouragement had nerved him for the struggle.
11. get on one's nerves, to irritate, annoy, or provoke one: Boisterous children get on my nerves.

Origin:
1350–1400; ME: nerve, tendon < L nervus sinew, tendon; akin to Gk neûron (see neuron ); r. ME nerf < MF < L, as above


3. steadfastness, intrepidity, fortitude, resolution. 6. power, force, might. 10. strengthen, fortify, invigorate, steel, brace.


6. weakness. 10. weaken.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To Nerve
nerve   (nûrv)   
n.  
  1. Any of the cordlike bundles of fibers made up of neurons through which sensory stimuli and motor impulses pass between the brain or other parts of the central nervous system and the eyes, glands, muscles, and other parts of the body. Nerves form a network of pathways for conducting information throughout the body.

  2. The sensitive tissue in the pulp of a tooth.

  3. A sore point or sensitive subject: The criticism touched a nerve.

    1. Courage and control under pressure: lost his nerve at the last minute.

    2. Fortitude; stamina.

    3. Forceful quality; boldness.

    4. Brazen boldness; effrontery: had the nerve to deny it.

  4. nerves Nervous agitation caused by fear, anxiety, or stress: an attack of nerves.

  5. A vein or rib in the wing of an insect.

  6. The midrib and larger veins in a leaf.

tr.v.   nerved, nerv·ing, nerves
To give strength or courage to.

[Middle English, sinew, nerve, from Old French nerf, from Medieval Latin nervus, from Latin; see (s)neəu- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Cultural Dictionary

nerve

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.

The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

nerve 
c.1374, nerf "sinew, tendon," from M.L. nervus "nerve," from L. nervus "sinew, tendon," metathesis of pre-L. *neuros, from PIE *(s)neu- (cf. Skt. snavan- "band, sinew," Arm. neard "sinew," Gk. neuron "sinew, tendon," in Galen "nerve"). Sense of "fibers that convey impulses between the brain and the body" is from 1606. Fig. sense of "feeling, courage" is first attested 1601; that of "courage, boldness" is from 1809; "impudence, cheek" is 1887. Nerves "nervousness" is attested from 1839; to get on someone's nerves is from 1903. War of nerves "psychological warfare" is from 1940. Nervy "full of courage" is from 1882.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: nerve
Pronunciation: 'n&rv
Function: noun
1 : any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous systemwith the other organs, conduct nervous impulses, and are made up of axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures and that for the larger nerves have the fibers gathered intofuniculi surrounded by a perineurium and the funiculi enclosed in a common epineurium
2 nerves pl : a state or condition of nervous agitation or irritability
3 : the sensitive pulp of a tooth
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

nerve (nûrv)
n.

  1. Any of the cordlike bundles of nervous tissue made up of myelinated or unmyelinated nerve fibers and held together by a connective tissue sheath through which sensory stimuli and motor impulses pass between the brain or other parts of the central nervous system and the eyes, glands, muscles, and other parts of the body.

  2. The sensitive tissue in the pulp of a tooth.

  3. nerves Nervous agitation caused by fear, anxiety, or stress.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see Nerve on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: