English word nervous comes from Latin nervus, and later Latin nervosus (Nervous. Sinewy. Vigorous, energetic.)
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| nervus | Latin (lat) | (anatomy) A sinew, tendon, nerve, muscle.. (figuratively) Vigor, force, power, strength, energy, nerve.. (of plants) A fiber or fibre.. A cord, string or wire; string of a musical instrument; bow, bowstring; cords or wires by which a puppet is moved.. A thong with which a person was bound; fetter; prison.. The leather with which shields were covered. |
| nervosus | Latin (lat) | Nervous. Sinewy. Vigorous, energetic. |
| nervous | Middle English (1100-1500) (enm) | |
| nervous | English (en) | (obsolete) Of a piece of writing: forceful, powerful.. (obsolete) Showing nervous strength; vigorous; sinewy.. Apprehensive, anxious, hesitant, worried.. Easily agitated or alarmed; edgy, on edge.. Relating to or affecting the nerves. |