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.
Definition 2024
nervous
nervous
English
Adjective
nervous (comparative more nervous, superlative most nervous)
- Easily agitated or alarmed; on edge or edgy.
- Being in a crowd of strangers makes me nervous.
- Apprehensive, anxious, hesitant, worried.
- Relating to or affecting the nerves.
- the central nervous system
- (obscure) Of a piece of writing: forceful, powerful.
- 1663, Edward Waterhouse, Fortescutus Illustratus, or a Commentary on that Nervous Treatise De Laudibus Legum Angliæ, Written by Sir John Fortescue Knight, first Lord Chief Justice, after Lord Chancellour to King Henry the Sixth. Which Treatise, Dedicated to Prince Edward that King's Son and Heir (whom he Attended in his Retirement into France, and to whom he Loyally and Affectionately Imparted himself in the Virtue and Variety of his Excellent Discourse) Hee Purposely Wrote to Consolidate his Princely Minde in the Love and Approbation of the Good Lawes of England, and of the Laudable Customs of this Native Country. The Heroique Design of whose Excellent Judgement and Loyal Addiction to his Prince, is Humbly Endeavoured to be Revived, Admired, and Advanced, London: Printed by Tho. Roycroft for Thomas Dicas [etc.], OCLC 830342279:
- Fortescutus illustratus, or a commentary on that nervous treatise De Laudibus Legum Angliæ ... [book title]
-
Synonyms
- See also Wikisaurus:nervous
Antonyms
Derived terms
Terms derived from nervous
Related terms
Translations
easily agitated
anxious
|
|
relating to the nerves