conatus

[ koh-ney-tuhs ]

noun

, plural co·na·tus.

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

conatus

/ kəʊˈneɪtəs /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of conatus¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of conatus¹

C17: from Latin: effort, from cōnārī to try

Example Sentences

Hc sunt propemodum ipsa illius verba, qu conatus sum memori mandare, ut possem ad te de rerum omnium statu certius perscribere.

From Project Gutenberg

In heaven, with conjugial partners, there is spring in its perpetual conatus, 355.

From Project Gutenberg

Tarquinius deinde bello aperto regnum reciperare conatus est.

From Project Gutenberg

He adds: "s magnum tempus, quo id dispungere conatus est, parvum."

From Project Gutenberg

Libera me de manu adversariorum meorum: confunde ingenia et conatus eorum contra me.

From Project Gutenberg