nerves

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.

4.

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

b. Fortitude; stamina.

c. Forceful quality; boldness.

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

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

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

7. The midrib and larger veins in a leaf.

tr.v. nerved, nerv·ing, nerves

To give strength or courage to.

Idioms:

get on (someone's) nerves

To irritate or exasperate.

strain every nerve

To make every effort.

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[Middle English, sinew, nerve, from Old French nerf, from Medieval Latin nervus, from Latin; see (s)neu- in Indo-European roots.]

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nerves

Noun, pl

Informal

1. anxiety or tension: nerves can often be the cause of wedding-day hitches

2. the ability or inability to remain calm in a difficult situation: his nerves are in a shocking state

3. get on someone's nerves to irritate someone

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Nerves

See also anatomy; body, human; brain.

cataplexy

a temporary paralytic or hypnotic state, often brought on by strong emotion. — cataplectic, adj.

electrotonus

the state or condition of a nerve when an electric current is passing through it. — electrotonic, adj.

neuralgia

a sharp and paroxysmal pain along the course of a nerve. — neuralgie, adj.

neurasthenia

1. Medicine. a nervous debility and exhaustion, as from overwork or prolonged nervous strain.
2. popularly, a nervous breakdown, — neurasthenie, adj.

neurism

Rare. the theory that all the body’s activity is controlled by nervous fluid.

neuritis

1. an inflammation in a nerve.
2. a continuous pain in a nerve, associated with paralysis, loss of reflexes, and sensory disturbances. — neuritic, adj.

neuroanatomy

Medicine. the branch of anatomy that studies the anatomy of the nervous system. — neuroanatomical, adj.

neurography

the branch of neurology concerned with description of the nerves and nervous system. — neurographic, neurographical, adj.

neurology

the branch of medical science that studies the nerves and the nervous system, especially the diseases that affect them. — neurologist, n. — neurological, adj.

neuromimesis

Medicine. a psychosomatic disease. — neuromimetic, adj.

neuropathology

the pathology of the nervous system. — neuropathologist, n. — neuropathologic, neuropathological, adj.

neuropathy

any disease or disorder of the nerves. — neuropathist, n. — neuropathie, adj.

neuropsychiatry

the branch of medicine dealing with diseases affecting the mind and the nervous system. — neuropsychiatrist, n. — neuropsychiatric, adj.

neurosis

a functional disorder of the nervous system. See also psychology. — neurotic, n., adj.

neurotomy

the cutting of a nerve, as to relieve neuralgia. — neurotomist, n.

polyneuritis

neuritis that affects several or many nerves.

prosopalgia

neuralgia affecting the face.

pseudesthesia, pseudaesthesia

Pathology. false or ghost sensations, such as those which seem to come from a missing limb. — pseudesthetic, pseudaesthetic, adj.

rhizotomy

the surgical cutting of the nerve roots of the spine, usually the sensory or posterior roots, to relieve pain or eliminate paralysis.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	nerves - an uneasy psychological state; "he suffered an attack of nerves" nervousness mental condition, mental state, psychological condition, psychological state - (psychology) a mental condition in which the qualities of a state are relatively constant even though the state itself may be dynamic; "a manic state" heebie-jeebies, jitters, screaming meemies - extreme nervousness mental strain, nervous strain, strain - (psychology) nervousness resulting from mental stress; "his responsibilities were a constant strain"; "the mental strain of staying alert hour after hour was too much for him"
	2.	nerves - control of your emotions; "this kind of tension is not good for my nerves" self-command, self-possession, will power, willpower, self-will, self-control, possession - the trait of resolutely controlling your own behavior plural, plural form - the form of a word that is used to denote more than one