nisus Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun an effortful attempt to attain a goal
    strain; striving; pains.

WordNet

Ni"sus noun
Etymology
L., fr. niti, p.p. nisus, to strive.
Definitions
  1. A striving; an effort; a conatus.
    A nisus or energizing towards a presented object. Hickok.

Webster 1913