v. [UN-2 3 Cf. Du. ont-, G. entnerven.]
1. trans. To destroy the strength of; to render physically weak. Also fig.
1621. G. Sandys, Ovid’s Met., II. (1626), 26. Pale sudden feare vn-nerves his quaking thighs.
1697. Addison, Ess. Georgics, ¶ 9, in Dryden’s Virgil. The Precepts … are often so minute … that they weaken and un-nerve his Verse.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XV. 448. When a length of years unnerves the strong, Apollo comes.
1792. S. Rogers, Pleas. Mem., II. 111. The spectre Poverty unnerv’d his frame.
1836. J. Gilbert, Chr. Atonem., ix. (1852), 271. The sight of mercy so transcendent … has unnerved the power of determined obduracy.
1850. Merivale, Rom. Emp., xxi. II. 453. This consciousness … unnerved his arm for the execution of the Herculean task.
1870. Bryant, Iliad, V. I. 175. The weariness of toil unnerves thy frame.
2. To deprive (the mind, etc., or a person) of firmness or courage; to render incapable of acting with ordinary firmness or energy.
1704. Moderat. Display’d, v. A Modern Coward Principle design’d To stifle Justice, and unnerve the Mind.
1725. Pope, Odyss., XII. 245. Fear seiz’d the mighty, and unnerv’d the brave.
1780. Cowper, Progr. Err., 272. ’Tis not alone the grape’s enticing juice Unnerves the moral pow’rs, and mars their use.
1791. Newte, Tour Eng. & Scot., 57. The horrid and incessant din … unnerves and overcomes the heart.
1844. Talfourd, Athenian Captive, I. i. to speak of mortal sickness, and unnerve A soul of noble essence.
1878. Bosw. Smith, Carthage, 125. The fear which it seems to have inspired completely unnerved the Romans.
Hence Unnerving ppl. a.
1722. Hamilton, Wallace, v. (1816), 73. And sure while Scotia’s enemies remain, Unnerving love should ever sue in vain.
1744. P. Whitehead, Gymnasiad, III. 53. He, alas! had felt th’ unnerving Blow.
1821. Clare, Vill. Minstr. (1823), I. 7. The mystic tribes of night’s unnerving breeze.
1894. Crockett, Raiders, 354. I had that sense of being hunted, which comes so quickly and is so unnerving.
