Conatus
Pronunciation : Co*na"tus
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L., fr. conatus, p. p. of conari to attempt.]
Definition : Defn: A natural tendency inherent in a body to develop itself; an attempt; an effort. What conatus could give prickles to the porcupine or hedgehog, or to the sheep its fleece Paley.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913