Lewis & Short

nervōsus, a, um, adj. [nervus], full of sinews, sinewy, nervous.

  1. I. Lit.: nervosa et lignea dorcas, Lucr. 4, 1161: poples, Ov. M. 6, 256: exilitas, Plin. 11, 37, 86, § 214: partes, id. 23, 3, 34, § 69: nervosius illud, i. e. membrum virile, Cat. 67, 27.
    1. B. Transf., of plants, full of fibres, fibrous: cauliculi, Plin. 21, 9, 30, § 54; 27, 12, 97, § 123.
  2. II. Trop.
    1. A. Nervous, vigorous, energetic in expression: quis Aristotele nervosior, Cic. Brut. 31, 121.
    2. B. Vigorous, bold: vivacitas, Val. Max. 8, 13, 4: juventus, Prud. c. Sym. 2, 320.
      Hence, adv.: nervō-sē, strongly, boldly, vigorously, energetically: vigilanter nervoseque aliquem subornare, Planc. ap. Cic. Fam. 10, 23, 6.
      Comp.: nervosius dicere, Cic. Or. 36, 127: nervosius aliquid disserere, id. Off. 3, 29, 106.