nerve (subs.) Copy link Outline I. Organ of sensationII. Meton., strength, vigour • nerve (subs.): I. Organ of sensation: no known word; for nervus = sinew (cf. Cels. 8, 1, nervi quos τένοντας Graeci appellant): in modern med. Lat. nervus is used for both sinew and nerve: see Hooper's Med. Dict. s. v. II. Meton., strength, vigour: nervi, orum (lit., sinews): to strain every n. over a thing, in aliqua re omnes n. [industriae suae] contendere, Cic. Verr. Act. 1, 12, 35: specially of energy of style, Cic. Or. 19, 62 (horum oratio neque nervos neque aculeos oratorios atque forenses habet): v. strength, vigour. Dimin., nervuli, orum: Cic. Att. 16, 16, C, extr., si nervulos tuos ... adhibebis, strain a n.; put forth a little of your strength.