nisus

Noun

Synonyms: striving pains strain

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

an effortful attempt to attain a goalSynonyms: striving pains strain

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Nisus \Ni"sus\, n. [L., fr. niti, p. p. nisus, to strive.]

1.A striving; an effort; a conatus. [1913 Webster]

A nisus or energizing towards a presented object.— Hickok.[1913 Webster]

2.(Physiol.) (a) The periodic procreative desire manifested in the spring by birds, etc. (b) The contraction of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to evacuate feces or urine. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]