NERVE • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Nerve

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/nərv/ Listen

noun

nerve n.

1.

(Anat.) One of the whitish and elastic bundles of fibers, with the accompanying tissues, which transmit nervous impulses between nerve centers and various parts of the animal body. Note: An ordinary nerve is made up of several bundles of nerve fibers, each bundle inclosed in a special sheath (the perineurium) and all bound together in a connective tissue sheath and framework (the epineurium) containing blood vessels and lymphatics.

2.

A sinew or a tendon.

3.

Physical force or steadiness; muscular power and control; constitutional vigor. "he led me on to mightiest deeds, Above the nerve of mortal arm."

4.

Steadiness and firmness of mind; self-command in personal danger, or under suffering; unshaken courage and endurance; coolness; pluck; resolution.

5.

Audacity; assurance. (Slang)

6.

(Bot.) One of the principal fibrovascular bundles or ribs of a leaf, especially when these extend straight from the base or the midrib of the leaf.

7.

(Zool.) One of the nervures, or veins, in the wings of insects.

Nerve cell (Anat.), a neuron, one of the nucleated cells with which nerve fibers are connected; a ganglion cell is one type of nerve cell.

Nerve fiber (Anat.), one of the fibers of which nerves are made up. These fibers are either medullated or nonmedullated. In both kinds the essential part is the translucent threadlike axis cylinder which is continuous the whole length of the fiber.

Nerve stretching (Med.), the operation of stretching a nerve in order to remedy diseases such as tetanus, which are supposed to be influenced by the condition of the nerve or its connections.

verb

Nerve v. t. (past & past part. nerved; pres. part. nerving) To give strength or vigor to; to supply with force; as, fear nerved his arm.

See images of 'Nerve'

Etymology of 'Nerve'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Nerve" Quotes from Famous Books

... the observed disturbances of speech of both kinds. In the first class, which comprises the impressive processes, we have to consider every functional disturbance of the peripheral ear, of the auditory nerve and of the central ends of the auditory nerve; in the second class, viz., the expressive processes, we consider every functional disturbance of the apparatus required for articulation, including the nerves belonging to this in their whole extent, ...

— The Mind of the Child, Part II • W. Preyer

... to follow, his meditations all gone, and gone his resolutions. A trembling seized him, and every nerve of him tingled. He could feel his heart as if it ...

— Love's Pilgrimage • Upton Sinclair

... I assure you, my dear Mac, the knowledge that I was a ghoul, or a vampire, would cause me less nausea than the reflection that I am one and the same with that odious little Whitechapel bounder. When I think of him every nerve in ...

— Novel Notes • Jerome K. Jerome

... Straightway put thy throat to him and drink the steaming blood, and devour with ravenous jaws the banquet of his body. Then renewed strength will come to thy limbs, then shall undreamed-of might enter thy sinews, and an accumulation of stout force shall bespread and nerve thy frame through-out. I myself will pave the path to thy prayers, and will subdue the henchmen in sleep, and keep them snoring ...

— The Danish History, Books I-IX • Saxo Grammaticus ("Saxo the Learned")

... on the first day owing to rain. On the second day Somerset scored 157. Rain fell again and Kent were unable to commence their innings till the afternoon of the third day. Obviously they had to strain every nerve to accomplish two things: (1) to avoid getting out and (2) to avoid scoring more than 157. At all hazards they must neither win nor lose on the first innings. They could not win the match. There was no time. And either a win ...

— Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 146, June 24, 1914 • Various

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