Nerve Cord
/ˈnɝːv ˌkɔːrd/noun
A cordlike bundle of nerve tissue, especially the central nervous structure running along the body of many animals.
Did you know?The word nerve began with the ancient Greek neuron, meaning “sinew” or “tendon,” while cord ultimately referred to a gut or string—making the term’s imagery strikingly visceral.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sneu-
“To wind, twist, or form a sinew-like cord”
Ancient Greek
Greek
neûron
“Sinew, tendon, or cord”
Ancient Greek
Greek
khordḗ
“Gut, string, or cord made from animal intestines”
Latin
Latin
nervus; chorda
“Sinew or nerve; cord or string”
Old French
Old French
nerf; corde
“Nerve or sinew; rope or cord”
14th Century
English
nerve; cord
“Nerve or sinew; a flexible string or rope”
Modern English
English
nerve cord
“A cordlike nerve structure, especially one forming part of an animal’s central nervous system”