nerve

nerve
{{11}}nerve (n.) late 14c., nerf "sinew, tendon," from O.Fr. nerf and directly from M.L. nervus "nerve," from L. nervus "sinew, tendon; cord, bowstring," metathesis of pre-L. *neuros, from PIE * (s)neu- "tendon, sinew" (Cf. Skt. snavan- "band, sinew," Arm. neard "sinew," Gk. neuron "sinew, tendon," in Galen "nerve"). Sense of "fibers that convey impulses between the brain and the body" is from c.1600.
Secondary senses developed from meaning "strength, vigor, energy" (c.1600), from the "sinew" sense. Hence figurative sense of "feeling, courage," first attested c.1600; that of "courage, boldness" is from 1809; bad sense "impudence, cheek" is from 1887. Latin nervus also had a figurative sense of "vigor, force, power, strength," as did Greek neuron. From the neurological sense come Nerves "condition of nervousness," attested from 1792; to get on someone's nerves, from 1895. War of nerves "psychological warfare" is from 1915.
{{12}}nerve (v.) c.1500, "to ornament with threads;" see NERVE (Cf. nerve) (n.). Meaning "to give strength or vigor" is from 1749. Related: Nerved; nerving.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • nerve — erve (n[ e]rv), n. [OE. nerfe, F. nerf, L. nervus, akin to Gr. ney^ron sinew, nerve; cf. neyra string, bowstring; perh. akin to E. needle. Cf. {Neuralgia}.] 1. (Anat.) One of the whitish and elastic bundles of fibers, with the accompanying… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Nerve Up — Studio album by Lonelady Released 22 February 2010 …   Wikipedia

  • nerve — [nʉrv] n. [ME nerfe < OFr nerf < L nervus, sinew, nerve, string < IE base * (s)nēu , to twist, wind > Gr neuron, tendon, nerve, OE sneowan, to hurry] 1. a sinew or tendon: now only in the phr. strain every nerve, to try as hard as… …   English World dictionary

  • nervé — ● nervé, nervée adjectif Se dit d un élément d architecture qui comporte des nervures, un réseau de nervures. ● nervé, nervée (synonymes) adjectif Se dit d un élément d architecture qui comporte des nervures, un... Synonymes : nervuré ⇒NERVÉ, ÉE …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • nerve — ► NOUN 1) a fibre or bundle of fibres in the body that transmits impulses of sensation between the brain or spinal cord and other parts of the body. 2) (nerves or one s nerve) steadiness and courage in a demanding situation: the journey tested… …   English terms dictionary

  • Nerve — (n[ e]rv), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Nerved} (n[ e]rvs); p. pr. & vb. n. {Nerving}.] To give strength or vigor to; to supply with force; as, fear nerved his arm. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • nerve — n effrontery, *temerity, audacity, hardihood, cheek, gall Analogous words: boldness, intrepidity (see corresponding adjectives at BRAVE): *fortitude,grit, pluck, sand, guts: foolhardiness, recklessness (see corresponding adjectives at… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • nerve — [n] daring, boldness assumption, assurance, audacity, backbone, brass*, bravery, brazenness, cheek*, chutzpah*, confidence, coolness, courage, crust*, determination, effrontery, endurance, energy, face*, fearlessness, firmness, force, fortitude,… …   New thesaurus

  • nervé — Nervé, [nerv]ée. part. Un battoir bien nervé. la pointe de cette arçon n est pas bien nervée …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • nerve — index audacity, confidence (faith), prowess (bravery), reassure, temerity Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton …   Law dictionary

  • nervé — nervé, ée (nèr vé, vée) part. passé de nerver. 1°   Panneaux nervés. 2°   Terme de botanique. Qui est muni de nervures, ou qui en a de très saillantes.    Terme de blason. Se dit des feuilles dont les nervures sont d un émail différent …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

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