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¹nerve

noun \ˈnərv\

: one of the many thin parts that control movement and feeling by carrying messages between the brain and other parts of the body

: courage that allows you to do something that is dangerous, difficult, or frightening

: the rude attitude of someone who says or does things that make other people angry or upset

Full Definition of NERVE

: sinew, tendon <strain every nerve>

: any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs, conduct nerve impulses, and are made up of axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures

a : power of endurance or control : fortitude, strength

b : assurance, boldness; also : presumptuous audacity : gall

a : a sore or sensitive point <her remark touched a nerve>

b plural : nervous agitation or irritability : nervousness <a case of nerves>

: vein 3

: the sensitive pulp of a tooth

See nerve defined for English-language learners

See nerve defined for kids

Origin of NERVE

Latin nervus sinew, nerve; akin to Greek neuron sinew, nerve, nēn to spin — more at needle

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to NERVE

Synonyms: audaciousness, audacity, brashness, brass, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, chutzpah (also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa), crust, face, gall, effrontery, nerviness, pertness, presumption, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, temerity

Antonyms: cowardice, cowardliness, cravenness, dastardliness, poltroonery, spinelessness

Synonym Discussion of NERVE

temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness. temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger <had the temerity to refuse>. audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence <an entrepreneur with audacity and vision>. hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance <admired for her hardihood>. effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy <outraged at his effrontery>. nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery <the nerve of that guy> <has the cheek to call herself a singer> <had the gall to demand proof> <the chutzpah needed for a career in show business>.

Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with NERVE

curve, MIRV, serve, slurve, swerve, verve

²nerve

verb

nervednerv·ing

Definition of NERVE

transitive verb

: to give strength or courage to : supply with physical or moral force

First Known Use of NERVE

circa 1749

Related to NERVE

Synonyms: brace, forearm, fortify, poise, psych (up), ready, steel, strengthen

NERVING Defined for Kids

nerve

noun \ˈnərv\

Definition of NERVE for Kids

: a bundle of nerve fibers that carries messages in the form of nerve impulses to or away from the brain and spinal cord

: courage, boldness <“I've always wanted to do something like that … I just didn't have the nerve.” — Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control>

: rude or disrespectful boldness <You've got a lot of nerve to talk to me that way.>

nerves plural : feelings of worry <The groom suffered from nerves before the wedding.>

: the sensitive soft inner part of a tooth

— nerve·less \-ləs\ adjective

Medical Dictionary

nerve

noun \ˈnərv\

Medical Definition of NERVE

: any of the filamentous bands of nervous tissue that connect parts of the nervous system with the other organs, conduct nervous impulses, and are made up of axons and dendrites together with protective and supportive structures and that for the larger nerves have the fibers gathered into funiculi surrounded by a perineurium and the funiculi enclosed in a common epineurium

nerves pl : a state or condition of nervous agitation or irritability

: the sensitive pulp of a tooth