A bundle of neurons with their connective tissue sheaths, blood vessels and lymphatics.
"The surgeon carefully dissected the damaged nerve to repair the severed connection in his leg."
In plain English: A nerve is a bundle of fibers that carries messages between your brain and the rest of your body to control movement and feel sensations like pain or touch.
"He had enough nerve to ask for another drink right after his first glass was empty."
Usage: Use the plural form nerves when referring to multiple bundles or one's courage, but keep it singular when describing a specific anatomical structure in your body. Avoid confusing this physical part of the nervous system with the abstract concept of boldness unless you are clearly distinguishing between them.
To give courage.
"The coach's encouraging words gave the team the nerve to try again."
The word "nerve" entered Middle English around 1374, borrowed directly from the Medieval Latin nervus, which originally meant both "sinew" and "cord." While its root meaning has remained consistent over time, it traveled into modern usage alongside related terms like neuron.