Courage.
1809. [He] spoke forth like a man of nerve and vigor who scorned to shrink in words from those dangers which he stood ready to encounter in very deed.—W. Irving, ‘A History of New-York’ (1820), iv. 365. (N.E.D.)
1826. You have nerve enough for anything.—B. Disraeli, ‘Vivian Grey,’ ii. xiii. (N.E.D.)
1846. The Senator went on to say that the question had come down to this, “Had we the nerve to maintain our rights?” He begged pardon of the Senate for using that word “nerve.” It had been so bandied about that chamber that he thought it was time for the lexicographers to give them a few synonyms, letting the word “nerve” be hereafter consecrated to ridicule.—Mr. Pearce of Maryland, U.S. Senate, March 10: Cong. Globe, p. 474.
1846. Any man who has mind enough to form his own judgment, and “nerve” enough to do its bidding.—Mr. Berrien of Georgia, the same, March 17: id., p. 505, App.
