conatus

[ koh-ney-tuh s ]
/ koʊˈneɪ təs /

noun, plural co·na·tus.

an effort or striving.
a force or tendency simulating a human effort.
(in the philosophy of Spinoza) the force in every animate creature toward the preservation of its existence.

Origin of conatus

1655–65; < Latin: exertion, equivalent to cōnā(rī) to attempt + -tus suffix of v. action

Example sentences from the Web for conatus

British Dictionary definitions for conatus

conatus
/ (kəʊˈneɪtəs) /

noun plural -tus

an effort or striving of natural impulse
(esp in the philosophy of Spinoza) the tendency of all things to persist in their own being

Word Origin for conatus

C17: from Latin: effort, from cōnārī to try