nerv|ous

nerv|ous
nerv|ous «NUR vuhs», adjective.
1. of the nerves: »

a nervous disorder.

2. easily excited or upset: »

a nervous driver, a nervous dog. A person who has been overworking is likely to become nervous.

 SYNONYM(S): high-strung, excitable, jumpy.
3. having or proceeding from nerves that are out of order: »

a nervous patient, a nervous tapping of the fingers.

4. deriving from a tense or quickened condition of the nerves: »

nervous energy.

5. restless or uneasy; timid: »

She is nervous about staying alone at night.

SYNONYM(S): apprehensive.
6. having nerves.
7. Figurative. strong; vigorous; powerful; spirited: »

The artist painted with quick, nervous strokes. They were swept before the mettled horses and nervous arms of their antagonists like chaff before the wind (James Fenimore Cooper).

 SYNONYM(S): energetic.
╂[< Latin 102 nervōsus sinewy < nervus sinew; see etym. under nerve (Cf. ↑nerve)]
–nerv´ous|ly, adverb.
–nerv´ous|ness, noun.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • nerv´ous|ly — nerv|ous «NUR vuhs», adjective. 1. of the nerves: »a nervous disorder. 2. easily excited or upset: »a nervous driver, a nervous dog. A person who has been overworking is likely to become nervous. SYNONYM(S): high strung, excitable, jumpy. 3.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • nerv´ous|ness — nerv|ous «NUR vuhs», adjective. 1. of the nerves: »a nervous disorder. 2. easily excited or upset: »a nervous driver, a nervous dog. A person who has been overworking is likely to become nervous. SYNONYM(S): high strung, excitable, jumpy. 3.… …   Useful english dictionary

  • nervous — nerv|ous [ nɜrvəs ] adjective ** 1. ) feeling excited and worried, or slightly afraid: ANXIOUS: Driving on icy mountain roads makes me nervous. get nervous: I got very nervous waiting for my turn to be called. nervous about: She was nervous about …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • nervous — nerv•ous [[t]ˈnɜr vəs[/t]] adj. 1) unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive; timid 2) highly excitable or agitated 3) of, pertaining to, or affecting the nerves: nervous tension; nervous diseases[/ex] 4) suffering from, characterized by, or… …   From formal English to slang

  • nervous breakdown — nerv′ous break′down n. psi (not in technical use) any disabling mental or emotional disorder requiring treatment • Etymology: 1900–05, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • nervous Nellie — nerv′ous Nel′lie (or Nel′ly) [[t]ˈnɛl i[/t]] n. pl. lies. Informal. cvb inf a timid or fearful person • Etymology: 1925–30 …   From formal English to slang

  • nervous system — nerv′ous sys tem n. anat. zool. the system of neurons, neurochemicals, and allied structures involved in receiving sensory stimuli, generating and coordinating responses, and controlling bodily activities: in vertebrates it includes the brain,… …   From formal English to slang

  • Enervous — E*nerv ous, a. [L. enervis, enervus.] Lacking nerve or force; enervated. [R.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Nervous — Nerv ous (n[ e]rv [u^]s), a. [L. nervosus sinewy, vigorous: cf. F. nerveux. See {Nerve}.] 1. Possessing nerve; sinewy; strong; vigorous. Nervous arms. Pope. [1913 Webster] 2. Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized by strength in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Nervous fever — Nervous Nerv ous (n[ e]rv [u^]s), a. [L. nervosus sinewy, vigorous: cf. F. nerveux. See {Nerve}.] 1. Possessing nerve; sinewy; strong; vigorous. Nervous arms. Pope. [1913 Webster] 2. Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized by… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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