GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   Nervous (nẽrvˈŭs), 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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