Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Nervous
1.
Possessing nerve; sinewy; strong; vigorous.
“Nervous arms.” Pope.
2.
Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized by strength in sentiment or style; forcible; spirited;
as, a
. nervous
writer3.
Of or pertaining to the nerves; seated in the nerves;
as,
nervous
excitement; a nervous
fever.4.
Having the nerves weak, diseased, or easily excited; subject to, or suffering from, undue excitement of the nerves; easily agitated or annoyed.
Poor, weak,
nervous
creatures. Cheyne.
5.
Sensitive; excitable; timid.
Our aristocratic class does not firmly protest against the unfair treatment of Irish Catholics, because it is
nervous
about the land. M. Arnold.
Nervous fever
(Med.)
, a low form of fever characterized by great disturbance of the nervous system, as evinced by delirium, or stupor, disordered sensibility, etc.
– Nervous system
(Anat.)
, the specialized coordinating apparatus which endows animals with sensation and volition. In vertebrates it is often divided into three systems: the central, brain and spinal cord; the peripheral, cranial and spinal nerves; and the sympathetic. See
– Brain
, Nerve
, Spinal cord
, under Spinal
, and Sympathetic system
, under Sympathetic
, and Illust. in Appendix. Nervous temperament
, a condition of body characterized by a general predominance of mental manifestations.
Mayne.
Webster 1828 Edition
Nervous
NERVOUS
,Adj.
1.
Strong; vigorous; as a nervous arm.2.
Pertaining to the nerves; seated in or affecting the nerves; as a nervous disease or fever.3.
Having the nerves affected; hypochondriac; a colloquial use of the word.4.
Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized by strength in sentiment or style; as a nervous historian.NERVOUS
,Adj.