Nervous temperament

Nervous temperament
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 co["o]rdinating 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]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Nervous fever — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Nervous system — 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… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • temperament — n. 1 a person s distinct nature and character, esp. as determined by physical constitution and permanently affecting behaviour (a nervous temperament; the artistic temperament). 2 a creative or spirited personality (was full of temperament). 3 a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • temperament — noun Etymology: Middle English, from Latin temperamentum, from temperare to mix, temper Date: 15th century 1. obsolete a. constitution of a substance, body, or organism with respect to the mixture or balance of its elements, qualities, or parts ; …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • temperament — 1. The psychological and biological organization peculiar to the individual, including one s character or personality predispositions, that influence the manner of thought and action and general views of life. 2. SYN: temper (1). [L.… …   Medical dictionary

  • Temperament — In psychology, temperament is the innate aspect of an individual s personality, such as introversion or extroversion.Temperament is defined as that part of the personality which is genetically based. Along with character, and those aspects… …   Wikipedia

  • temperament — /tem peuhr euh meuhnt, preuh meuhnt, peuhr meuhnt/, n. 1. the combination of mental, physical, and emotional traits of a person; natural predisposition. 2. unusual personal attitude or nature as manifested by peculiarities of feeling, temper,… …   Universalium

  • nervous — adj. 1 having delicate or disordered nerves. 2 timid or anxious. 3 a excitable; highly strung; easily agitated. b resulting from this temperament (nervous tension; a nervous headache). 4 affecting or acting on the nerves. 5 (foll. by of + verbal… …   Useful english dictionary

  • nervous — adj. VERBS ▪ appear, be, feel, look, seem, sound ▪ Both men appeared nervous. ▪ become, get …   Collocations dictionary

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