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| nerve [ nurv ] |
noun (plural nerves) |
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| Definition: |
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1. fiber bundle transmitting impulses: a bundle of fibers forming a network that transmits messages in the form of impulses between the brain or spinal cord and the body's organs. Motor nerves carry impulses outward to the muscles and glands, while sensory nerves carry inbound information about the body's movements and sensations. Mixed nerves perform both functions.
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2. courage: coolness, steadiness, and self-assurance
  lost his nerve
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3. boldness: boldness or impudence
You've got a lot of nerve!
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4. dentistry sensitive pulp in tooth: the sensitive tissue inside the roots of a tooth
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5. botany leaf vein: a vein in a leaf
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6. insects vein in insect's wing: a thin rib visible inside an insect's wing
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plural noun nerves |
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| Definition: |
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1. somebody's ability to tolerate stress: somebody's ability to tolerate emotional stress or excitement
My nerves are shattered.
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2. nervousness: a state of emotional agitation
(
informal
)
He had a bad case of nerves before every performance.
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transitive verb (past and past participle nerved, present participle nerv·ing, 3rd person present singular nerves) |
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| Definition: |
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steel yourself: to cause somebody or yourself to muster courage or self-control in preparation for dealing with something difficult, stressful, or frightening
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| [14th century. Directly or via Old French nerf "sinew" < Latin nervus "nerve, sinew, tendon"] |
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get on somebody's nerves to annoy or irritate somebody (informal)
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