◙ noun 1. (in the body) a whitish fibre or bundle of fibres that transmits impulses of sensation to the brain or spinal cord, and impulses from these to the muscles and organs • 神经 »the optic nerve. 视觉神经。 2. (nerves)a person's mental state, in particular the extent to which they are agitated or worried • 神经质，神经紧张；情绪不安，提心吊胆 »an amazing journey which tested her nerves to the full. 使她每根神经都绷得紧紧的一次令人惊异的旅程。 nervousness or anxiety • 紧张；焦虑 »his first-night nerves soon disappeared. 他第一天晚上的焦虑很快就消失了。 3. [mass noun] [一般作 one's nerve] a person's steadiness, courage, and sense of purpose when facing a demanding situation • 精神力量，勇气，魄力；胆量；胆力 »she kept her nerve and won five games in a row. 她一鼓作气，连续赢得五场比赛。 »the army's commanders were beginning to lose their nerve. 军队的指挥官开始胆怯了。 [informal] impudence or audacity • [非正式] 厚脸皮；大胆 »he had the nerve to insult my cooking. 他还有脸对我的烹饪说三道四。 » she's got a nerve wearing that short skirt with those legs. 她那种腿型竟然有胆子穿上了那件短裙。 4. [Botany] a prominent unbranched rib in a leaf, especially in the midrib of the leaf of a moss • [植] （叶）脉 ◙ verb 1. (nerve oneself)brace oneself mentally to face a demanding situation • 使有劲，使振作，使奋进 »she nerved herself to enter the room. 她鼓起勇气走进了房间。 »he nerved himself for a final effort. 他给自己打气作最后的努力。
【IDIOMS】
◘ a bag (或 bundle) of nerves 1. [informal] someone who is extremely timid or tense • [非正式] 极端胆小的人；神经极度紧张的人 ◘ get on someone's nerves 1. [informal] irritate or annoy someone • [非正式] 使某人紧张不安；让某人心烦 ◘ have nerves of steel 1. not be easily upset or frightened • 沉着；有胆量 ◘ live on one's nerves (或 one's nerve ends) 1. be extremely anxious or tense • 过紧张不安的日子 ◘ strain every nerve 1. make every possible effort • 竭尽全力，拼命 ◘ touch (或 hit) a nerve (或 a raw nerve) 1. provoke a reaction by referring to a sensitive topic • 触及要害；触到痛处 ◘ war of nerves 1. a struggle in which opponents try to wear each other down by psychological means • 神经战
【派生】
♦ nerved adjective »[usu. in combination] she was still raw-nerved from reliving the past. 想起过去的经历依然让她焦虑不已
【语源】
1. late Middle English (also in the sense 'tendon, sinew'): from Latin nervus: related to Greek neuron 'nerve' (seeneuron)