Adjacent Words

nisus definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an effortful attempt to attain a goal [syn: striving, nisus, pains, strain]

Merriam Webster's

noun (plural nisus) Etymology: Latin, from niti to lean, rely, strive; akin to Latin nictare to wink — more at connive Date: 1699 a mental or physical effort to attain an end ; a perfective urge or endeavor

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Nisus Ni"sus, n. [L., fr. niti, p. p. nisus, to strive.] A striving; an effort; a conatus. A nisus or energizing towards a presented object. --Hickok.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Nisus Ni"sus, n. (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.