I.inf. obnitier for obniti, Lucr. 4, 437), v. dep., to bear, press, push, struggle, or strive against any thing (mostly poet. and in post-Aug. prose; not in Cic. or Cæs.); constr. with the dat., acc., or absol.
I. Lit.: “taurus Arboris obnixus trunco,” Verg. A. 12, 105: “contra,” id. ib. 5, 21: “toto corpore obnitendum,” Quint. 5, 13, 11: “remi Obnixi crepuere,” Verg. A. 5, 205: densis ales (Lachm. aquila hinc) pinnis obnixa volabat Vento, Enn. ap. Prob. Verg. E. 6, 31, p. 354 Lion. (Ann. v. 148 Vahl.): “obnixi (al. obnisi) urgebant,” Liv. 34, 46.—In pass. signif.: obnixo genu scuto, set or pressed against, Nep. Chabr. 1, 2.— “Of things: navigia fractas obnitier undas,” Lucr. 4, 437.—
II. Trop.
1. To strive against, to resist, oppose (class. only in Part.): “stant obnisi,” Liv. 7, 33, 12: “cum saepe obnitens repugnasset,” Vell. 2, 89, 5; 2, 123, 2: “stant obnixa omnia contra,” Verg. A. 10, 359: “venti obnixi lacerant nubila,” Stat. Th. 5, 366: “adversis,” Tac. A. 15, 11.—
2. To strive, endeavor; with inf.: “triumphum Pauli impedire obnitebantur,” Vell. 1, 9, 6.—Hence, obnixus (obnīsus ), a, um, P. a., steadfast, firm, resolute: “(velim) obnixos vos stabili gradu impetum hostium excipere,” Liv. 6, 12: “firmitas,” Plin. 36, 15, 24, § 105: “obnixus curam sub corde premebat,” Verg. A. 4, 332.—In neutr., adverb., resolutely, obstinately: “obnixum. Pauline, taces,” Aus. Ep. 25, 28.—Hence, adv.: obnixē (obnīsē ), lit., striving against; hence, in gen., with all one's strength, with might and main, strenuously, obstinately: “obnixe omnia Facere,” Ter. And. 1, 1, 134: “oboedire,” Liv. 4, 26, 12 (dub.; “Weissenb. enixe): petere,” Sen. Ep. 95, 1 (Haase, enixe; v. Krebs, Antibarb. p. 781). —Comp.: “argumentari,” Claud. Mam. Stat. Anim. 1, 3.
