Hypertext Webster Gateway: "nisus"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
nisus
n : an effortful attempt to attain a goal [syn: {striving}, {pains},
{strain}]
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