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.
verb (used with object),nerved,nerv·ing.
to give strength, vigor, or courage to: Encouragement had nerved him for the struggle.
Idioms for 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
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English: “nerve, tendon,” from Latin nervus “sinew, tendon”; akin to Greek neûron (see neuron); replacing Middle English nerf, from Middle French, from Latin, as above
For example, a 2017 study demonstrated that nerve signals could be used for precise control of prosthetic limbs.
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For example, at least half a dozen studies have found that stimulating the limb area acupoint can suppress systemic inflammation, partially through the vagus nerve.
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From remembering facts or conversations to improving musical or athletic skills, learning alters connections between nerve cells called synapses.
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The toxin, known by the initials TTX, stops nerve cells from sending signals that tell muscles to move.
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Contradictory 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.
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Few have the nerve to call him and he's usually pleased when an old friend does.
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Then he lost his nerve and decided to live after all, and I called for help.
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For anyone—not just a fan—the first time performing on camera can be nerve wracking.
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She was a perky redhead of about 30 with lively blue eyes, a petite figure, and lots of nerve.
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But for some reason that one quote touched a nerve with her fellow countrymen.
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But I'm not going to say you ought to have the same kind of nerve as ours.
At The Sign Of The Eagle|Gilbert Parker
Every limb was at rest, every nerve seemed lulled into quiescence.
The Golden Web|Anthony Partridge
Pressure upon, or the severing of, a nerve causes a paralysis of the parts to which such a nerve is distributed.
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse|United States Department of Agriculture
Both exerted every nerve, and ten seconds later the wagon rolled out of the open doors, and was guided by Matt up the alley.
Young Auctioneers|Edward Stratemeyer
They lay down upon the soft sand, listening with every nerve upon the strain, but not for long.
Fire Island|G. Manville Fenn
British Dictionary definitions for nerve
nerve
/ (nɜːv) /
noun
any of the cordlike bundles of fibres that conduct sensory or motor impulses between the brain or spinal cord and another part of the bodyRelated adjective: neural
courage, bravery, or steadfastness
lose one's nerveto become timid, esp failing to perform some audacious act
informalboldness or effrontery; impudencehe 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 nerveorstrike a raw nerveto mention or bring to mind a sensitive issue or subject
verb(tr)
to give courage to (oneself); steel (oneself)
to provide with nerve or nerves
See also nerves
Word Origin for nerve
C16: from Latin nervus; related to Greek neuron; compare Sanskrit snāvan sinew
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.
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.
The sensitive tissue in the pulp of a tooth.
nervesNervous agitation caused by fear, anxiety, or stress.
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.