neuron
UK: ˈnjʊərɒn | US: ˈnʊrɑːn
n. a specialized cell transmitting nerve impulses; the basic functional unit of the nervous system.
neuron = neur<nerve> + on<noun suffix>
- neur (from Greek neuron, meaning "nerve, sinew, tendon")
- on (a noun-forming suffix in Greek, often used in scientific terms)
Etymology Origin:
The word neuron traces back to ancient Greek neuron (νεῦρον), which originally referred to both nerves and tendons due to their similar fibrous appearance. Over time, its meaning narrowed to specifically denote nerve cells in modern biology. The suffix -on was retained from Greek to form scientific nouns, reflecting the cell’s functional role. The term entered English in the late 19th century as neuroscience advanced.
A single neuron can transmit signals to thousands of other neurons.
Damage to motor neurons may result in muscle weakness.
The study focused on how neurons communicate across synapses.
Artificial neural networks mimic the behavior of biological neurons.
Neurons in the visual cortex respond to specific patterns of light.