Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

nisus

[nahy-suh s]
See more synonyms for nisus on Thesaurus.com
noun, plural ni·sus.
  1. an effort or striving toward a particular goal or attainment; impulse.
Show More

Origin of nisus

1690–1700; < Latin nīsus act of planting the feet, effort, equivalent to nīt(ī) to support or exert oneself + -tus suffix of v. action, with tt > s
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for nisus

Historical Examples

  • Nisus cries: 'Lend the gods this fervour to the soul, Euryalus?

    The Aeneid of Virgil

    Virgil

  • And Nisus said that he had somewhat to say, and that the matter pressed.

    Stories from Virgil

    Alfred J. Church

  • The daughter of Nisus 1271 past by, the cautious mariner rejoices.

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

  • Youth sent with Nisus to warn Æneas that his son was in danger, 374.

British Dictionary definitions for nisus

nisus

noun plural -sus
  1. an impulse towards or striving after a goal
Show More

Word Origin

C17: from Latin: effort, from nītī to strive
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012