nerve

noun
\ ˈnərv How to pronounce nerve (audio) \

Definition of nerve

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : sinew, tendon strain every nerve
2 : 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
3a : power of endurance or control : fortitude, strength
b : assurance, boldness also : presumptuous audacity : gall
4a : a sore or sensitive point her remark touched a nerve
b nerves plural : nervous agitation or irritability : nervousness a case of nerves
6 : the sensitive pulp of a tooth

nerve

verb
nerved; nerving

Definition of nerve (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

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

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Choose the Right Synonym for nerve

Noun

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

Examples of nerve in a Sentence

Noun

The optic nerve in the eye allows you to see. a condition affecting the nerves in her arm It takes a lot of nerve to start a new career. He found the nerve to stand up to his boss. I was going to ask her to the dance, but I lost my nerve. You have a lot of nerve to talk to me that way. I can't believe she had the nerve to call me a liar.

Verb

needs to nerve himself for the big game tomorrow
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

More than 10% of patients experienced side effects, including nausea, vomiting, anemia and a type of nerve damage called peripheral neuropathy. Los Angeles Times, "FDA approves tuberculosis drug that works on hard-to-treat cases," 14 Aug. 2019 Three years on, his body still aches sometimes from the nerve damage caused by the bullet that struck the base of his spine then shot upward and ravaged his organs. Mary Schmich, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Three years after Tavon Tanner was shot, he and his twin sister find quiet among peaceful streets," 9 Aug. 2019 Reeve argued passionately and convincingly to fund stem-cell research in the hope of repairing nerve damage. Cassandra Willyard, Scientific American, "How a Revolutionary Technique Got People with Spinal-Cord Injuries Back on Their Feet," 7 Aug. 2019 Towner said his sister underwent surgery and was expected to have long-term nerve damage, while her husband faces many surgeries. Washington Post, "Gunman posted online minutes before killing 3 at festival," 30 July 2019 The combination of a feasting amoeba and a blizzard of immune responses leads to significant tissue and nerve damage, and ultimately—most of the time—death. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, "Brain-eating amoeba kills again—here’s how it kills and how to avoid it," 26 July 2019 The drug, which is used to treat nerve damage caused by a buildup of proteins, is sold in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Nina Trentmann, WSJ, "New Alnylam Pharmaceuticals CFO Faces Competition Challenge With Pfizer," 11 July 2019 The film scores points for both its creepy puppets and its nerve to bring Hitler into the story. Jennifer M. Wood, WIRED, "Horror for Dummies: The 9 Best Killer Doll Movies to Stream Right Now," 28 June 2019 Jimenez returned Sunday after suffering a bruised ulnar nerve in his right arm July 16. Lamond Pope, chicagotribune.com, "4 takeaways from the White Sox-Mets series, including the impact of losing Yoan Moncada to a hamstring injury," 2 Aug. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Calcium: High in calcium, açaí berries will help keep your bones, heart, muscles, and nerves strong and healthy. Tehrene Firman, Good Housekeeping, "10 Things You Should Know About Açaí Berries, Nature's "Purple Gold"," 23 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nerve.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of nerve

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1750, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for nerve

Noun

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

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More Definitions for nerve

nerve

noun