ˈnərvəs, -ə̄v-, əiv- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin nervosus sinewy, vigorous, energetic, from nervus sinew, nerve + -osus -ose — more at nerve
1.
a. archaic : having strong sinews : vigorous
b. obsolete : having abundant tendons — used of animals and meat
2. : manifesting vigor of mind : marked by strength of thought, feeling, or style : highly organized : forcible , spirited
the texture of her writing is compact and nervous — G.F.Whicher
vivid pages in simple, nervous , racy language — Carl Van Doren
3. : of, relating to, or made up of nervous tissues
the nervous layer of the eye
4.
a. : of or relating to the nerves : originating in or affected by the nerves
nervous energy
nervous excitement
b. : exhibiting, suggesting, or originating in undue irritability : jerky , jumpy , unsteady
a hurried and nervous conclave — G.G.Coulton
in the nervous atmosphere thus created, a tragic event occurred — American Guide Series: Washington
c. : timid , apprehensive
permitted a nervous smile to flit across her face — Louis Bromfield
— often used with of in British speech
we were nervous of broaching it — Harry Lauder
d. archaic : affecting or used as medication for the nerves
a nervous draught
5.
a. : tending to produce nervousness or agitation : critical , difficult
the moment was nervous — as far as the private secretary knew, quite the most critical moment in the records of American diplomacy — Henry Adams
b. : appearing or acting unsteady, irregular, or erratic — used of inanimate things
climbed carefully into his nervous kayak — Farley Mowat
Synonyms: see vigorous