1.
[syn: nervous system, systema nervosum]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Nervous \Nerv"ous\ (n[~e]rv"[u^]s), a. [L. nervosus sinewy,
vigorous: cf. F. nerveux. See Nerve.]
1. Possessing nerve; sinewy; strong; vigorous. "Nervous
arms." --Pope.
[1913 Webster]
2. Possessing or manifesting vigor of mind; characterized by
strength in sentiment or style; forcible; spirited; as, a
nervous writer.
[1913 Webster]
3. Of or pertaining to the nerves; seated in the nerves; as,
nervous excitement; a nervous fever.
[1913 Webster]
4. Having the nerves weak, diseased, or easily excited;
subject to, or suffering from, undue excitement of the
nerves; easily agitated or annoyed.
[1913 Webster]
Poor, weak, nervous creatures. --Cheyne.
[1913 Webster]
5. Sensitive; excitable; timid.
[1913 Webster]
6. Apprehensive; as, a child nervous about his mother's
reaction to his bad report card.
[PJC]
Our aristocratic class does not firmly protest
against the unfair treatment of Irish Catholics,
because it is nervous about the land. --M. Arnold.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
nervous system
n 1: the sensory and control apparatus consisting of a network
of nerve cells [syn: nervous system, systema nervosum]
Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:
27 Moby Thesaurus words for "nervous system":
afferent neuron, autonomic nervous system, axon, brain,
central nervous system, cerebral cortex,
craniosacral nervous system, dendrite, effector organ,
efferent neuron, ganglion, gray matter, internuncial neuron,
medullary sheath, nerve, nerve trunk, neuron,
peripheral nervous system, plexus, sensorium, sensory area,
sensory cell, solar plexus, spinal cord, synapse,
thoracolumbar nervous system, white matter