conatus
noun
co·na·tus
\kōˈnātəs, -nät-\
Definition of conatus
conatus
: a natural tendency, impulse, or striving : conation —used in Spinozism with reference to the inclination of a thing to persist in its own being
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Origin and Etymology of conatus
New Latin, from Latin, effort, from conatus, past participle of conari to attempt — more at deacon
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