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

Really, volition is the nisus or effort of that cause which we call will.

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

Sometimes the nisus or volition expends itself in the will, and gives no external phenomena.

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

And in physical causes, we do not observe the nisus of these causes, but only the phenomena which form the sequents of this nisus.

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

The word nisus I have adopted chiefly to express an energy truly vital, and therefore to distinguish it as clearly as possible from powers merely mechanical, by which some physiologists formerly endeavoured to explain generation.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)

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