nervosity
(nəˈvɒsɪtɪ)
[ad. L. nervōsitas strength: see nervose a. and -ity. Cf. F. nervosité (Cotgr.).]
† 1. Strength. Obs. rare.
| 1611 Cotgr., Nervosité, neruositie, sinewie strength. 1681 H. More Exp. Dan. Pref. 17 His Expositions are..devoid of that strength and nervosity he shews in other things. |
2. The state or quality of being nervous; nervousness.
| 1787 Hawkins Life Johnson 385 How far nervosity..will excuse a conduct so opposite to..philanthropy. 1821 New Monthly Mag. II. 530 A poor cracked creature, the miserable victim of nervosity. 1884 Pall Mall G. 11 Aug. 4/1 Andrieux's..nervosity is betrayed..in the husky and tremulous tones of his usually clear voice. |
b. A fit of nervousness.
| 1791 I. Milner in Life vi. (1842) 70 [Working] amuses, and it tends to lessen nervosities, and to dull pain. |
3. Bot. The fact of being nerved (Cent. Dict.).