conatus

[koh-ney-tuhs]

noun

plural

conatus 

1. an effort or striving.

2. a force or tendency simulating a human effort.

3. (in the philosophy of Spinoza) the force in every animate creature toward the preservation of its existence.

conatus

/ kəʊˈneɪtəs /

noun

1. an effort or striving of natural impulse

2. (esp in the philosophy of Spinoza) the tendency of all things to persist in their own being

Word History and Origins

Origin of conatus¹

1655–65; < Latin: exertion, equivalent to cōnā ( rī ) to attempt + -tus suffix of v. action

Word History and Origins

Origin of conatus¹

C17: from Latin: effort, from cōnārī to try