Standard Lemma guide

nisus

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

A mental or physical effort to attain a specific goal; a striving.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The periodic procreative desire manifested in the spring by birds, etc.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The contraction of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles to evacuate faeces or urine.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Examples

  • 1833, James O' Beirne, New Views on the Process of Defecation, and Their Application to the Pathology and Treatment of Diseases of the Stomach, Bowels, and Other Organs, quoted in 1833, John Johnson (editor), The Medico-Chirurgical Review, New Series: Volume 19 (Volume 23 of the Analytical Series), page 7, The evacuation of the rectum and bladder being completed, immediately the nisus ceases, the rectum and the sphincters return to their former state of contraction, the diaphragm reascends, carrying with it and restoring to their proper situations the liver, the stomach, the spleen, the small intestines, the cæcum, and the ascending, transverse and descending portions of the colon.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

an effortful attempt to attain a goal

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: striving, pains, strain

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: attempt, effort, endeavor, endeavour, try

Narrower terms: jihad, jehad

History

Etymology

From Latin nīsus (“pressure, exertion”).