Nerve
/nɜːrv/noun
A bundle of fibers that transmits signals between the brain, spinal cord, and the rest of the body.
Did you know?In Latin, the same root behind nerve also gave rise to words for “strength” and “sinew,” so the body’s wiring was once imagined as a kind of living cord of power.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sneu-
“to bind, twist, or spin”
Latin
Latin
nervus
“a sinew, tendon, cord, or nerve”
Late Latin
Latin
nervus
“a nerve; also strength, vigor”
Old French
Old French
nerf
“a sinew or nerve”
Middle English
English
nerve
“a sinew, tendon, or bodily cord”
Modern English
English
nerve
“a bundle of fibers carrying signals in the body; also courage or boldness”