nerve

n. [ OE. nerfe, F. nerf, L. nervus, akin to Gr. ney^ron sinew, nerve; cf. neyra` string, bowstring; perh. akin to E. needle. Cf. Neuralgia. ] 1. (Anat.) One of the whitish and elastic bundles of fibers, with the accompanying tissues, which transmit nervous impulses between nerve centers and various parts of the animal body. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ An ordinary nerve is made up of several bundles of nerve fibers, each bundle inclosed in a special sheath (the perineurium) and all bound together in a connective tissue sheath and framework (the epineurium) containing blood vessels and lymphatics. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A sinew or a tendon. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Physical force or steadiness; muscular power and control; constitutional vigor. [ 1913 Webster ]

he led me on to mightiest deeds,
Above the nerve of mortal arm. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Steadiness and firmness of mind; self-command in personal danger, or under suffering; unshaken courage and endurance; coolness; pluck; resolution. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Audacity; assurance. [ Slang ] [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Bot.) One of the principal fibrovascular bundles or ribs of a leaf, especially when these extend straight from the base or the midrib of the leaf. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. (Zool.) One of the nervures, or veins, in the wings of insects. [ 1913 Webster ]

Nerve cell (Anat.), a neuron, one of the nucleated cells with which nerve fibers are connected; a ganglion cell is one type of nerve cell. --
Nerve fiber (Anat.), one of the fibers of which nerves are made up. These fibers are either medullated or nonmedullated. In both kinds the essential part is the translucent threadlike axis cylinder which is continuous the whole length of the fiber. --
Nerve stretching (Med.), the operation of stretching a nerve in order to remedy diseases such as tetanus, which are supposed to be influenced by the condition of the nerve or its connections. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Having nerves of a special character; as, weak-nerved. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Having nerves, or simple and parallel ribs or veins. Gray. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Destitute of nerves. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Destitute of strength or of courage; wanting vigor; weak; powerless. [ 1913 Webster ]

A kingless people for a nerveless state. Byron. [ 1913 Webster ]

Awaking, all nerveless, from an ugly dream. Hawthorne. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state of being nerveless. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. Extremely irritating to the nerves; stressful; trying; as, nerve-wracking noise. [ Also spelled nerve-wracking. ]
Syn. -- stressful, trying. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

a. Affected by a tremor, or by a nervous disease; weakened; overcome by some violent influence or sensation; shocked. [ 1913 Webster ]