from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Nervous \Nerv"ous\ (n[~e]rv"[u^]s), a. [L. nervosus sinewy,
vigorous: cf. F. nerveux. See {Nerve}.]
1. Possessing nerve; sinewy; strong; vigorous. "Nervous
arms." --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
2. Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized by
strength in sentiment or style; forcible; spirited; as, a
nervous writer.
[1913 Webster]
3. Of or pertaining to the nerves; seated in the nerves; as,
nervous excitement; a nervous fever.
[1913 Webster]
4. Having the nerves weak, diseased, or easily excited;
subject to, or suffering from, undue excitement of the
nerves; easily agitated or annoyed.
[1913 Webster]
Poor, weak, nervous creatures. --Cheyne.
[1913 Webster]
5. Sensitive; excitable; timid.
[1913 Webster]
6. Apprehensive; as, a child nervous about his mother's
reaction to his bad report card.
[PJC]
Our aristocratic class does not firmly protest
against the unfair treatment of Irish Catholics,
because it is nervous about the land. --M. Arnold.
[1913 Webster]
{Nervous fever} (Med.), a low form of fever characterized by
great disturbance of the nervous system, as evinced by
delirium, or stupor, disordered sensibility, etc.
{Nervous system} (Anat.), the specialized coordinating
apparatus which endows animals with sensation and
volition. In vertebrates it is often divided into three
systems: the central, brain and spinal cord; the
peripheral, cranial and spinal nerves; and the
sympathetic. See {Brain}, {Nerve}, {Spinal cord}, under
{Spinal}, and {Sympathetic system}, under {Sympathetic},
and Illust. in Appendix.
{Nervous temperament}, a condition of body characterized by a
general predominance of mental manifestations. --Mayne.
[1913 Webster]