A bundle of fibers in the body that carries signals between the brain, spinal cord, and other parts, allowing you to feel and move. Informally, it can also mean courage or boldness, or sometimes rude boldness.
From Latin 'nervus' meaning 'sinew, tendon, nerve', through Old French 'nerf'. Originally it referred to physical strength and toughness before focusing on the nervous system.
The switch from 'nerve' as a body part to 'nerve' as courage shows how we link physical wiring with emotional strength. When someone 'gets on your nerves', it’s a perfect image: they’re repeatedly triggering your inner wiring until you react.
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