— nervously , adv. — nervousness , n.
/nerr"veuhs/ , adj.
1. highly excitable; unnaturally or acutely uneasy or apprehensive: to become nervous under stress.
2. of or pertaining to the nerves: nervous tension.
3. affecting the nerves: nervous diseases.
4. suffering from, characterized by, or originating in disordered nerves.
5. characterized by or attended with acute uneasiness or apprehension: a nervous moment for us all.
6. having or containing nerves.
7. sinewy or strong.
8. Archaic. vigorous or spirited.
[ 1350-1400; ME nervosus sinewy, equiv. to nerv ( us ) NERVE + -osus -OUS ]
Syn. 1. fearful, timid, timorous.
Ant. 1. confident, bold.