nerve
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.
a sinew or tendon: to strain every nerve.
firmness or courage under trying circumstances: an assignment requiring nerve;to lose your nerve at the very last moment.
boldness; audacity; impudence; impertinence: He had the nerve to say that?
nerves, nervousness: an attack of nerves.
strength, vigor, or energy: a test of nerve and stamina.
(not in technical use) pulp tissue of a tooth.
Botany. a vein, as in a leaf.
a line, or one of a system of lines, extending across something.
to give strength, vigor, or courage to: Encouragement had nerved him for the struggle.
Idioms about nerve
bundle of nerves. See entry at bundle of nerves.
get on one's nerves, to irritate, annoy, or provoke one: Boisterous children get on my nerves.
have nerves of steel, to be able to control one’s fear or unease and remain calm and competent, even in the worst of circumstances: I thought I had nerves of steel, but when we had to dissect a pig, I turned into a jellyfish.
Origin of nerve
1Other words for nerve
Opposites for nerve
Words Nearby nerve
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use nerve in a sentence
For example, a 2017 study demonstrated that nerve signals could be used for precise control of prosthetic limbs.
Neurologists aren’t so sure about Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain implant startup | dzanemorris | August 31, 2020 | FortuneFor example, at least half a dozen studies have found that stimulating the limb area acupoint can suppress systemic inflammation, partially through the vagus nerve.
We Need New, Safer Ways to Treat Pain. Could Electroacupuncture Be One? | Shelly Fan | August 18, 2020 | Singularity HubFrom remembering facts or conversations to improving musical or athletic skills, learning alters connections between nerve cells called synapses.
The toxin, known by the initials TTX, stops nerve cells from sending signals that tell muscles to move.
Toxic germs on its skin make this newt deadly | Erin Garcia de Jesus | June 23, 2020 | Science News For StudentsContradictory evidence means that no one knows whether SARS-CoV-2 can infect nerve cells in the brain directly, and if so, whether the virus’s route to the brain can sometimes start in the nose.
The way the coronavirus messes with smell hints at how it affects the brain | Laura Sanders | June 12, 2020 | Science News
Few have the nerve to call him and he's usually pleased when an old friend does.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThen he lost his nerve and decided to live after all, and I called for help.
“But bringing it to New York was a bit nerve-wracking,” he admits.
For anyone—not just a fan—the first time performing on camera can be nerve wracking.
Sotheby’s for Sex: The Problem with Auctioning Off Sex with A Porn Star | Aurora Snow | November 15, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTShe was a perky redhead of about 30 with lively blue eyes, a petite figure, and lots of nerve.
It was Carmena, every nerve of her loyal nature on the alert to baffle this pursuer of Alessandro and Ramona.
Ramona | Helen Hunt JacksonTo add point to this success, he knew that the victor of Montebello was straining every nerve to gain this very prize.
Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-PattisonI hadn't the nerve to stand there and tell her she'd never see her father again this side of the pearly gates.
Raw Gold | Bertrand W. SinclairIt was a hair-raising problem, too, and called for every ounce of nerve and every particle of skill the boy possessed.
Motor Matt's "Century" Run | Stanley R. MatthewsThis time it was really Mr. Bills, and Mrs. Biggs went out to meet him, while Eloise felt every nerve quiver with dread.
The Cromptons | Mary J. Holmes
British Dictionary definitions for nerve
/ (nɜːv) /
any of the cordlike bundles of fibres that conduct sensory or motor impulses between the brain or spinal cord and another part of the body: Related adjective: neural
courage, bravery, or steadfastness
lose one's nerve to become timid, esp failing to perform some audacious act
informal boldness or effrontery; impudence: he had the nerve to swear at me
muscle or sinew (often in the phrase strain every nerve)
a large vein in a leaf
any of the veins of an insect's wing
touch a nerve, touch a raw nerve, hit a nerve, hit a raw nerve, strike a nerve or strike a raw nerve to mention or bring to mind a sensitive issue or subject
to give courage to (oneself); steel (oneself)
to provide with nerve or nerves
Origin of nerve
1- See also nerves
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for nerve
[ nûrv ]
Any of the bundles of fibers made up of neurons that carry sensory and motor information throughout the body in the form of electrical impulses. Afferent nerves carry information to the central nervous system, and efferent nerves carry information from the central nervous system to the muscles, organs, and glands. Efferent nerves include the nerves of the peripheral nervous system, which control voluntary motor activity and of the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary motor activity.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Cultural definitions for 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 New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with nerve
see bundle of nerves; get on someone's nerves; get up (one's nerve); have a nerve; lose one's nerve; of all the nerve; war of nerves.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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