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nerve

/nɛɾv/

noun

Meaning

  • A bundle of neurons with their connective tissue sheaths, blood vessels and lymphatics.

    "The nerves can be seen through the skin."

  • A neuron.

  • A vein in a leaf; a grain in wood

    "Some plants have ornamental value because of their contrasting nerves."

  • Courage, boldness.

    "He hasn't the nerve to tell her he likes her. What a wimp!"

  • Patience.

    "The web-team found git-sed is really a time and nerve saver when doing mass changes on your repositories"

  • Stamina, endurance, fortitude.

  • Audacity, gall.

    "He had the nerve to enter my house uninvited."

  • (polymer technology) The elastic resistance of raw rubber or other polymers to permanent deformation during processing.

  • (in the plural) Agitation caused by fear, stress or other negative emotion.

    "Ellie had a bad case of nerves before the big test."

  • Sinew, tendon.

Synonyms

balls,
brashness,
brazenness

verb

Meaning

  • To give courage.

    "May their example nerve us to face the enemy."

  • To give strength; to supply energy or vigour.

    "The liquor nerved up several of the men after their icy march."