nerve
/nɜːv/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.19 in modern English
8
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
1
Syllables
4
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A bundle of neurons with their connective tissue sheaths, blood vessels and lymphatics.
noun
One's neural structures considered collectively as, and conceptually equated with, one's psyche.
noun
The elastic resistance of raw rubber or other polymers to permanent deformation during processing.
Example Sentences
- "The nerves can be seen through the skin."
- "Like her I go; I cannot stay; I leave this mortal ark behind, A weight of nerves without a mind, And leave the cliffs, and haste away […]"
- "Some plants have ornamental value because of their contrasting nerves."
- "He had the nerve to enter my house uninvited."
- "He hasn't the nerve to tell her he likes her."
- "“Oh?” she said. “So you have decided to revise my guest list for me? You have the nerve, the – the –” I saw she needed helping out. “Audacity,” I said, throwing her the line. “The audacity to dictate to me who I shall have in my house.” It should have been “whom”, but I let it go. “You have the –” “Crust.” “– the immortal rind,” she amended, and I had to admit it was stronger, “to tell me whom” – she got it right that time – “I may entertain at Brinkley Court and who” – wrong again – “I may not.”"
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /nɜːv/
- British English: /nɜːv/
Usage
Subject
Wiktionary places this term in Medicine.