Main Entry:

ner·vous

Pronunciation:

\ˈnər-vəs\

Function:

adjective

Date:

14th century

1archaic : sinewy, strong2: marked by strength of thought, feeling, or style : spirited <a vibrant tight-packed nervous style of writing>3: of, relating to, or composed of neurons4 a: of or relating to the nerves ; also : originating in or affected by the nerves <nervous energy> b: easily excited or irritated : jumpy c: timid, apprehensive <a nervous smile> <nervous of strangers>5 a: tending to produce nervousness or agitation : uneasy <a nervous situation> b: appearing or acting unsteady, erratic, or irregular —used of inanimate things

synonyms see vigorous

— ner·vous·ly adverb

— ner·vous·ness noun