nisus

[ nahy-suhs ]

noun

, plural ni·sus.

1. an effort or striving toward a particular goal or attainment; impulse.

nisus

/ ˈnaɪsəs /

noun

1. an impulse towards or striving after a goal

Word History and Origins

Origin of nisus¹

First recorded in 1690–1700; from Latin nīsus “planting one’s feet firmly, strong muscular effort,” equivalent to nīt(ī) “to support or exert oneself” + -sus, variant of -tus suffix denoting the action of the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of nisus¹

C17: from Latin: effort, from nītī to strive

Example Sentences

Even before them the nisus towards it, which has been noticed in the chapter before the last, is observable enough.

From Project Gutenberg

But mythology comes in and attributes them all to a nisus for self-preservation.

From Project Gutenberg

The same thing happened to Nisus, king of Megara, which town was besieged by Minos.

From Project Gutenberg

Nisus gets away first, and shoots out far in front of the throng, fleeter than the winds or the winged thunderbolt.

From Project Gutenberg

Nisus betrayed to Minos by his daughter Scylla; changed to a falcon, and Scylla to a lark.

From Project Gutenberg