- nerve
- late 14c., nerf "sinew, tendon," from M.L. nervus "nerve," from L. nervus "sinew, tendon," metathesis of pre-L. *neuros, from PIE *(s)neu- (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. Figurative sense of "feeling, courage" is first attested c.1600; that of "courage, boldness" is from 1809; "impudence, cheek" is 1887. Nerves "nervousness" is attested from 1839; to get on someone's nerves is from 1903. War of nerves "psychological warfare" is from 1940. Nervy "full of courage" is from 1882.