Definition: nerve

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

nerve
     n 1: any bundle of nerve fibers running to various organs and
          tissues of the body [syn: nervus]
     2: the courage to carry on: "he kept fighting on pure spunk";
        "you haven't got the heart for baseball" [syn: heart, mettle,
         spunk]
     3: impudent aggressiveness; "I couldn't believe her boldness";
        "he had the effrontery to question my honesty" [syn: boldness,
         brass, face, cheek]
     v : get ready for something difficult or unpleasant [syn: steel]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Nerve \Nerve\, n. [OE. nerfe, F. nerf, L. nervus, akin to Gr. ?
   sinew, nerve; cf. ? string, bowstring; perh. akin to E.
   needle. Cf. Neuralgia.]
   1. (Anat.) One of the whitish and elastic bundles of fibers,
      with the accompanying tissues, which transmit nervous
      impulses between nerve centers and various parts of the
      animal body.

   Note: An ordinary nerve is made up of several bundles of
         nerve fibers, each bundle inclosed in a special sheath
         (the perineurium) and all bound together in a
         connective tissue sheath and framework (the epineurium)
         containing blood vessels and lymphatics.

   2. A sinew or a tendon. --Pope.

   3. Physical force or steadiness; muscular power and control;
      constitutional vigor.

            he led me on to mightiest deeds, Above the nerve of
            mortal arm.                           --Milton.

   4. Steadiness and firmness of mind; self-command in personal
      danger, or under suffering; unshaken courage and
      endurance; coolness; pluck; resolution.

   5. Audacity; assurance. [Slang]

   6. (Bot.) One of the principal fibrovascular bundles or ribs
      of a leaf, especially when these extend straight from the
      base or the midrib of the leaf.

   7. (Zo["o]l.) One of the nervures, or veins, in the wings of
      insects.

   Nerve cell (Anat.), one of the nucleated cells with which
      nerve fibers are connected; a ganglion cell.
Nerve \Nerve\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Nerved; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Nerving.]
   To give strength or vigor to; to supply with force; as, fear
   nerved his arm.