nerve
noun
[ nəːv ]
• a whitish fibre or bundle of fibres in the body that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs.
• "the optic nerve"
• one's steadiness and courage in a demanding situation.
• "an amazing journey which tested her nerves to the full"
Similar:
self-confidence,
confidence,
assurance,
self-assurance,
coolness,
cool-headedness,
self-possession,
courage,
bravery,
pluck,
pluckiness,
boldness,
courageousness,
braveness,
intrepidity,
intrepidness,
fearlessness,
valour,
daring,
dauntlessness,
doughtiness,
gameness,
determination,
strength of character,
firmness of purpose,
will power,
spirit,
backbone,
fortitude,
mettle,
heart,
endurance,
tenacity,
resolution,
resoluteness,
stout-heartedness,
steadfastness,
staunchness,
hardihood,
grit,
guts,
spunk,
gumption,
gutsiness,
bottle,
ballsiness,
moxie,
cojones,
sand,
balls,
• feelings of nervousness.
• "his first-night nerves soon disappeared"
Similar:
anxiety,
tension,
nervousness,
nervous tension,
strain,
tenseness,
stress,
worry,
cold feet,
apprehensiveness,
apprehension,
jumpiness,
fright,
butterflies (in one's stomach),
collywobbles,
the jitters,
the willies,
the heebie-jeebies,
the shakes,
the jumps,
jim-jams,
the yips,
the (screaming) abdabs/habdabs,
Joe Blakes,
• a prominent unbranched rib in a leaf, especially in the midrib of the leaf of a moss.
nerve
verb
• brace oneself mentally to face a demanding situation.
• "she nerved herself to enter the room"
Similar:
brace oneself,
steel oneself,
gear oneself up,
prepare oneself,
get in the right frame of mind,
fortify oneself,
bolster oneself,
psych oneself up,
gird (up) one's loins,
Opposite:
lose one's nerve,
Origin:
late Middle English (also in the sense ‘tendon, sinew’): from Latin nervus ; related to Greek neuron ‘nerve’ (see neuron).
