nerves
Body's electrical wiring
Nerves are bundles of fibers that transmit signals between the brain and body.
The word extends to emotional states—someone with nerves of steel stays calm under pressure, while frayed nerves suggest anxiety.
To get on someone's nerves is to irritate them.
Informally, nerves means nervousness: I had nerves before the interview.
To have the nerve is to have audacity: He had the nerve to ask for a raise after showing up late all week.
Signal-transmitting brain cells
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
- myelinNerve fiber insulation
ganglion · spinal · plexus · neuralgia · neuropathy · peripheral · central · sciatic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- fearEmotional response to threat
- worryTroubled mental state
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- apprehensionNervous anticipation of trouble
dread · unease · jitters · restlessness · trepidation · butterflies · nervousness · agitation
In original state
hypersensitive · reactive · touchy · irritable · oversensitive · thin-skinned · vulnerable · heightened
Carbon-hardened iron alloy
- mettleStrength of character
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- boldnessFearless readiness to act
daring · pluck · guts · backbone · audacity · spunk · fearlessness · bravery
Sudden urge to act
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- transmissionSending of information
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
- firingTerminating employment
action potential · signal · relay · response · stimulus · reflex · sensation · conduction
Force upon contact
- yipsAthletic motor skill collapse
- twistiesCoiled corn snacks
- staggersMoves with unsteady gait
- second-guessingReconsidering a decision made
self-sabotage · freeze · block · wobbles · inhibition · tremors · buckle · crumble
neurons
Signal-transmitting brain cells
- axonNeuron's signal-sending projection
- dendriteNeuron's input branch
- synapseNerve signal crossing point
myelin · ganglion · spinal · plexus · neuralgia · neuropathy · peripheral · central · sciatic · optic
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
apprehension · dread · unease · jitters · restlessness · trepidation · butterflies · nervousness · agitation · tension
raw
In original state
delicate · hypersensitive · reactive · touchy · irritable · oversensitive · thin-skinned · vulnerable · heightened · acute
steel
Carbon-hardened iron alloy
- mettleStrength of character
- gritDetermination or abrasive particles
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
boldness · daring · pluck · guts · backbone · audacity · spunk · fearlessness · bravery · composure
impulse
Sudden urge to act
- neurotransmitterSynaptic chemical messenger
- transmissionSending of information
- receptorSignal-receiving molecule
firing · action potential · signal · relay · response · stimulus · reflex · sensation · conduction · excitation
pressure
Force upon contact
second-guessing · self-sabotage · freeze · block · wobbles · inhibition · tremors · buckle · crumble · clutch
irritate
Cause mild anger
aggravate · irk · vex · rub · fray · wear on · get on · try · test · strain
- anatomybrain, heart, bones, liver, stomach
- Organic Matterblood, bone, tissue, cells, skin
- panicpanic attack, alarm, terror, fright, hysteria
- performance anxietystage fright, choking, freezing up, jitters, public speaking fear
- vital partsheart, brain, engine, motor, core
- nervous systembrain, neurons, spinal cord, axon, dendrite
nervescoolness
Calm self-possession
self-control · composure · cool · poise · self-possession
- nervous wreckPerson overwhelmed by anxiety
- nervous breakdownAcute mental health crisis
- hit a nerveTrigger emotional sensitivity
- nervous systemSignal transmission network
- bundle of nervesExtremely anxious person
- vagus nerveMajor parasympathetic cranial pathway
nerve, nervous, nervy, nerved, nerveless, enervate, nerving, nerve center