kōˈnāshən noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin conation-, conatio attempt, from conatus (past participle of conari to attempt) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at deacon
1. : the conscious drive to perform apparently volitional acts with or without knowledge of the origin of the drive — distinguished from affection and cognition
2. : an instinctually motivated biological striving that may appear in consciousness as volition or desire or in behavior as action tendencies