nisus

American  

[nahy-suhs] / ˈnaɪ səs /

noun

plural

nisus

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

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nisus British  

/ ˈnaɪsəs /

noun

1. an impulse towards or striving after a goal

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Etymology

Origin of nisus

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

Example Sentences

Now, taking as the point of departure the first creative nisus or effort of the Deity, this is true.

From Know the Truth; A critique of the Hamiltonian Theory of Limitation by Jones, Jesse H.

The will as the power which by its nisus produces changes or phenomena, is conscious of ability to go in either of these directions, or in opposition to both.

From A Review of Edwards's by Tappan, Henry Philip

But then again we might seek to explain why the nisus is always made in the direction of the agreeable.

From A Review of Edwards's by Tappan, Henry Philip

We cannot penetrate these second causes—we observe only their phenomena; but we know ourselves in the very first nisus of causation.

From A Review of Edwards's by Tappan, Henry Philip

When the determination is in the direction of the sensitivity, there is a play of emotions and passions, but the will again knows only the nisus of power which carries it in this direction.

From A Review of Edwards's by Tappan, Henry Philip