Etymology Map
Back to all words

Neuron

2 stages from Greek to English.

Today it means a nerve cell

Where does the word "neuron" come from? It comes from Greek neuron, adopted directly into English (1890s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
neuron
Greek · ancient
"sinew, nerve"
Greek, related to Latin 'nervus'
2
Stage 2 of 2
neuron
English · 1890s
"nerve cell"
coined in German by Wilhelm Waldeyer in 1891
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Neuron’s story begins in Greek: neuron meant “sinew, nerve.” Greek, related to Latin 'nervus'. It reached English by 1890s as neuron. Coined in German by Wilhelm Waldeyer in 1891. Today, neuron means a nerve cell.