Main Entry:

²en·er·vate

Pronunciation:

\ˈe-nər-ˌvāt\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

en·er·vat·ed; en·er·vat·ing

Etymology:

Latin enervatus, past participle of enervare, from e- + nervus sinew — more at nerve

Date:

1605

1 : to reduce the mental or moral vigor of 2 : to lessen the vitality or strength of

synonyms see unnerve

— en·er·vat·ing·ly \-ˌvā-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

— en·er·va·tion \ˌe-nər-ˈvā-shən\ noun