nervous temperament

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.
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   2. Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized by
      strength in sentiment or style; forcible; spirited; as, a
      nervous writer.
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   3. Of or pertaining to the nerves; seated in the nerves; as,
      nervous excitement; a nervous fever.
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   4. Having the nerves weak, diseased, or easily excited;
      subject to, or suffering from, undue excitement of the
      nerves; easily agitated or annoyed.
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            Poor, weak, nervous creatures.        --Cheyne.
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   5. Sensitive; excitable; timid.
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   6. Apprehensive; as, a child nervous about his mother's
      reaction to his bad report card.
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            Our aristocratic class does not firmly protest
            against the unfair treatment of Irish Catholics,
            because it is nervous about the land. --M. Arnold.
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   {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.
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