nisus

Plural: nisus, nisuses

Noun

• A strenuous effort or endeavor; an impulse.
• an effortful attempt to attain a goal
• A mental or physical effort to attain a specific goal; a striving.
• The periodic procreative desire manifested in the spring by birds, etc.
• The contraction of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to evacuate faeces or urine.

Examples

• With a final nisus, she managed to play ’QUIZZING’ for a game-winning score.

Synonyms

pains, strain, striving