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

But almost everywhere a strong nisus towards actual tale-telling and the rapid acquisition of proper "plant" for such telling, become evident.

From A History of the French Novel, Vol. 1 From the Beginning to 1800 by Saintsbury, George

When I wish to do anything I make an effort—a nisus to do it; I make an effort to raise my arm, and I raise it.

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

There remains one obscure point in any event, and that is, the nature of what the ancients called the nisus formativus.

From Essay on the Creative Imagination by Baron, Albert Heyem Nachmen

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