Nisus
/ˈnaɪsəs/noun
A strenuous effort, impulse, or act of striving toward a goal.
Did you know?In older philosophy and physiology, nisus could describe an inherent striving force—an idea strikingly close to modern language about drives, intention, and manifestation.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂neyh₁-
“To strive, exert oneself, or press forward; the reconstructed root behind Latin niti.”
Classical Latin
Latin
nītor
“I strive, struggle, or rely upon; a verb associated with exerting force toward an end.”
Classical Latin
Latin
nīsus
“A striving, effort, exertion, or impulse; the noun formed from nītor.”
17th Century
English
nisus
“A learned English borrowing used for effort, exertion, or an inner striving force.”
Modern English
English
nisus
“A strenuous effort or directed impulse, especially in philosophical, psychological, or literary contexts.”