exercise
ex·er·cise (ek′sər sīz′)
noun
- active use or operation; employment the exercise of an option
- performance (of duties, functions, etc.)
- activity for the purpose of training or developing the body or mind; systematic practice; esp., bodily exertion for the sake of health
- a regular series of specific movements designed to strengthen or develop some part of the body or some faculty finger exercises for the piano
- a problem or group of written examples, passages, etc. to be studied and worked out for developing technical skill, as in mathematics, grammar, etc.
- ☆ a set program of formal ceremonies, speeches, etc. graduation exercises
Etymology: ME & OFr exercice < L exercitium < pp. of exercere, to drive out (farm animals to work), hence drill, exercise < ex-, out + arcere, to enclose < IE base *areq-, to protect, enclose > Gr arkein
transitive verb exercised -·cised′, exercising -·cis′·ing
- to put into action; use; employ to exercise self-control
- to carry out (duties, etc.); perform; fulfill
- Now Rare to use habitually; practice; train: used reflexively or in the passive she was exercised in virtue
- to put (the body, a muscle, the mind, a skill, etc.) into use so as to develop or train
- to drill (troops)
- to engage the attention and energy of, esp. so as to worry, perplex, or harass: used esp. in the passive greatly exercised about the decision
- to exert or have (influence, control, authority, etc.)
intransitive verb
Related Forms:
- exercisable ex′·er·cis′·able adjective
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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