Main Entry: ner·vous

Pronunciation: \ˈnər-vəs\

Function: adjective

Date: 14th century

1 archaic : sinewy, strong
2 : marked by strength of thought, feeling, or style : spirited <a vibrant tight-packed nervous style of writing>
3 : of, relating to, or composed of neurons
4 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