n (1)神经(bundle of fibres that sends messages between the brain and various parts of the body causing the body to move and feel，ect)[C]：～cell/fibre/centre/gas/impulse/cord 神经细胞/纤维/中枢/毒气/冲动/索;(the) optic/autonomic/cranial/sympathetic～s 视/植物/脑/交感神经：He has damaged a～in his back. 他损害了背部神经。

(2)神经紧张(过敏，忧郁)(the condition of being too easily excited or upset)[C，pl](infml)：He is suffering from～s. 他患有神经过敏症。The doctor gave her a sedative to calm her～s. 医生给她用了镇静剂使她的情绪安定下来。He doesn't know what～s are. 他不知道什么叫害怕(他神经从不紧张)。 She is all～s. 她太紧张了(她太神经过敏了)。 He had a fit of～s. 他发了一通神经。That noise got on my～s. 那噪音使我神经紧张。He has～s of iron. 他什么都不怕。

(3)勇气(敢)，胆量(courage)[U]：a man/test/loss of～ 有魄力的人/意志力的考验/惊慌失措;He lost/regained his～. 他失去了/恢复了勇气。He must have needed a lot of～to do that.他做那种事情一定需要很大的胆量。Climbing calls for strength and～. 登山需要力量和勇气。〖同〗courage，boldness，determination，bravery;〖反〗cowardice，weakness，feebleness;

(4)厚颜，鲁莽(rudeness)(infml)[C，sing]：What a～!真无耻!You've got a～to come here uninvited!你真好意思，不请自到。She had some～to say that!她那么说，脸皮真厚!

hit/touch a (raw) nerve 触到伤心处：Her expression told me that I'd touched a raw～. 她的表情说明我触到了她的伤心处。

vt给……以力量(勇气) (give courage to)[T+n+prep(for)，C+n+to-inf]：～oneself (sb) for the struggle/the battle/the fight/a task/one last effort 鼓励自己(某人)去斗争/战斗/战斗/完成任务/做最后一博;He～d himself to climb the high tower. 他鼓起勇气攀登高塔。They～d themselves ready to face troubles. 他们振作精神准备面对困难。She tried to～herself to go down the spooky alley. 她壮着胆子走进那阴森森的胡同。

→′nerveless adj 无力的;不能动的;′nervelessly adv 无力地;不能动地