nerve

/nɜrv/
verb
  1. To give strength or courage to someone.
    • The coach's speech nerved the team before the big game.
    • He nerved himself to ask for help.
    • Her encouraging words nerved him to try again.
noun
  1. A fiber or bundle of fibers in the body that carries signals between the brain and other parts.
    • The doctor explained how the optic nerve helps you see.
    • Nerves run throughout your body and control movement and sensation.
    • Damage to a nerve can cause numbness or pain.
  2. Courage or confidence to do something difficult or risky.
    • She had the nerve to ask for a raise after only one month on the job.
    • You need nerve to try skydiving for the first time.
    • It took a lot of nerve to stand up and speak in front of the crowd.
  3. Rude or disrespectful behavior; audacity.
    • What nerve! He cut in line right in front of everyone.
    • I can't believe she had the nerve to show up uninvited.
    • He had the nerve to blame me for his mistake.