nerve
/nɜ:v; nəv/ n
1 [C] fibre or bundle of fibres carrying impulses of sensation or of movement between the brain and all parts of the body 神经
pain caused by a trapped nerve 压迫神经产生的疼痛. =>illus at tooth 见tooth插图.
2 nerves [pl]
(infml 口) condition in which one is very nervous, irritable, worried, etc; nervousness 神经过敏; 神经紧张; 神经质
suffer from nerves, ie be easily upset, worried, etc 患神经过敏
She doesn't know what nerves are, ie is never worried, upset, etc by events. 她根本就不知道什麽是神经紧张（遇事从不著急、 烦恼等）.
He has nerves of steel, ie a very calm temperament in times of stress, danger, etc. 他沉得住气.
3
(a) [U] boldness; courage 胆量; 勇气
lose/regain one's nerve 失去[恢复]勇气
a first-class skier with a lot of nerve 勇敢的滑雪健将
It takes nerve to be a racing driver. 当赛车手要有胆量.
Rock-climbing is a test of nerve and skill. 攀岩运动能考验人的勇气和技巧.
I wouldn't have the nerve to try anything so dangerous. 我可不敢做那麽危险的事.
(b) [sing] (derog infml 贬, 口) impudence (used esp as in the expressions shown) 厚脸皮, 放肆（尤用於以下示例）
What a nerve! She just walked off with my radio! 脸皮真厚! 她一声不吭把我的收音机拿走了!
He's got a nerve, going to work dressed like that. 他胆子可真大, 竟敢穿著那样的衣服去上班.
She had the nerve to say I was cheating. 她竟敢说我作弊, 太放肆了.
4 [C] (botany 植) rib of a leaf 叶脉.
5 (idm 习语) a bundle of nerves => bundle. get on sb's `nerves (infml 口) irritate or annoy sb 刺激或烦扰某人
Stop whistling! It's/You're getting on my nerves! 别吹口哨了! 扰得我心烦! hit/touch a (raw) `nerve refer to a subject that causes sb pain, anger, etc 提及使某人痛苦、 气愤等的事
You hit a raw nerve when you mentioned his first wife. 你曾提到他的前妻刺到了他的痛处. strain every nerve => strain1. a war of nerves => war. nerve, v [Tn.pr, Cn.t]
~ sb/oneself for sth give sb/oneself the courage, strength or determination to do sth 使某人[自己]有勇气、 力量或决心做某事
Her support helped nerve us for the fight. 她给予的支持使我们有勇气去拚搏.
I nerved myself to face my accusers. 我下决心迎击指责我的人.