bodily or mental exertion, esp. for the sake of training or improvement of health: Walking is good exercise.
2.
something done or performed as a means of practice or training: exercises for the piano.
3.
a putting into action, use, operation, or effect: the exercise of caution.
4.
a written composition, musical piece, or artistic work executed for practice or to illustrate a particular aspect of technique.
5.
Often, exercises.a traditional ceremony: graduation exercises.
6.
a religious observance or service.
–verb (used with object)
7.
to put through exercises, or forms of practice or exertion, designed to train, develop, condition, or the like: to exercise a horse.
8.
to put (faculties, rights, etc.) into action, practice, or use: to exercise freedom of speech.
9.
to use or display in one's action or procedure: to exercise judgment.
10.
to make use of (one's privileges, powers, etc.): to exercise one's constitutional rights.
11.
to discharge (a function); perform: to exercise the duties of one's office.
12.
to have as an effect: to exercise an influence on someone.
13.
to worry; make uneasy; annoy: to be much exercised about one's health.
–verb (used without object)
14.
to go through exercises; take bodily exercise.
[Origin: 1300–50; ME (n.) < MF exercice < L exercitium, equiv. to exercit(us) ptp. of exercére to train (ex-ex-1+ -ercit-, s. of comb. form of arcére to restrain) + -ium n. suffix]
—Related forms
ex·er·cis·a·ble, adjective
—Synonyms 1. activity; calisthenics, gymnastics. 2.Exercise,drill,practice refer to activities undertaken for training in some skill. Exercise is the most general term and may be either physical or mental: an exercise in arithmetic. Drill is disciplined repetition of set exercises, often performed in a group, directed by a leader: military drill. Practice is repeated or methodical exercise: Even great musicians require constant practice. 3. employment, application, practice, performance. 6. ritual. 7. discipline, drill, school. 9. employ, apply, exert, practice. 13. try, trouble.
An act of employing or putting into play; use: the free exercise of intellect; the exercise of an option.
The discharge of a duty, function, or office.
Activity that requires physical or mental exertion, especially when performed to develop or maintain fitness: took an hour of vigorous daily exercise at a gym.
A task, problem, or other effort performed to develop or maintain fitness or increase skill: a piano exercise; a memory exercise.
An activity having a specified aspect: an undertaking that was an exercise in futility.
exercises A program that includes speeches, presentations, and other ceremonial activities performed before an audience: graduation exercises.
v.
ex·er·cised, ex·er·cis·ing, ex·er·cis·es
v.
tr.
To put into play or operation; employ: Proceed, but exercise caution.
To bring to bear; exert: "The desire to be re-elected exercises a strong brake on independent courage"(John F. Kennedy).
To subject to practice or exertion in order to train, strengthen, or develop: exercise the back muscles; exercise the memory.
To put through exercises: exercise a platoon. See Synonyms at practice.
To carry out the functions of: exercise the role of disciplinarian.
To execute the terms of (a stock option, for example).
To absorb the attentions of, especially by worry or anxiety.
To stir to anger or alarm; upset: an injustice that exercised the whole community.
To carry out the functions of: exercise the role of disciplinarian.
To execute the terms of (a stock option, for example).
To absorb the attentions of, especially by worry or anxiety.
To stir to anger or alarm; upset: an injustice that exercised the whole community.
To absorb the attentions of, especially by worry or anxiety.
To stir to anger or alarm; upset: an injustice that exercised the whole community.
v.
intr.
To take exercise.
[Middle English, from Old French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercitus, past participle of exercēre, to exercise : ex-, ex- + arcēre, to restrain.]
c.1340, "condition of being in active operation," from O.Fr. exercice, from L. exercitium, from exercitare, frequentative of exercere "keep busy, drive on," lit. "remove restraint," from ex- "off" + arcere "keep away, prevent, enclose," from PIE *ark- "to hold, contain, guard." Original sense may have been driving farm animals to the field to plow; meaning "physical activity" first recorded in Eng. c.1386. The ending was abstracted for formations such as dancercise (1967); jazzercise (1977); and boxercise (1985).
the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit; "the doctor recommended regular exercise"; "he did some exercising"; "the physical exertion required by his work kept him fit"
2.
the act of using; "he warned against the use of narcotic drugs"; "skilled in the utilization of computers" [syn: use]
3.
systematic training by multiple repetitions; "practice makes perfect"
4.
a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding; "you must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook"
5.
(usually plural) a ceremony that involves processions and speeches; "academic exercises"
verb
1.
put to use; "exert one's power or influence" [syn: exert]
2.
carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions; "practice law" [syn: practice]
3.
give a workout to; "Some parents exercise their infants"; "My personal trainer works me hard"; "work one's muscles"; "this puzzle will exercise your mind"
4.
do physical exercise; "She works out in the gym every day"
5.
learn by repetition; "We drilled French verbs every day"; "Pianists practice scales" [syn: drill]
Ex"er*cise\, n. [F. exercice, L. exercitium, from exercere, exercitum, to drive on, keep, busy, prob. orig., to thrust or drive out of the inclosure; ex out + arcere to shut up, inclose. See Ark.]1. The act of exercising; a setting in action or practicing; employment in the proper mode of activity; exertion; application; use; habitual activity; occupation, in general; practice. exercise of the important function confided by the constitution to the legislature. --Jefferson. O we will walk this world, Yoked in all exercise of noble end. --Tennyson. 2. Exertion for the sake of training or improvement whether physical, intellectual, or moral; practice to acquire skill, knowledge, virtue, perfectness, grace, etc. "Desire of knightly exercise." --Spenser. An exercise of the eyes and memory. --Locke. 3. Bodily exertion for the sake of keeping the organs and functions in a healthy state; hygienic activity; as, to take exercise on horseback. The wise for cure on exercise depend. --Dryden. 4. The performance of an office, a ceremony, or a religious duty. Lewis refused even those of the church of England . . . the public exercise of their religion. --Addison. To draw him from his holy exercise. --Shak. 5. That which is done for the sake of exercising, practicing, training, or promoting skill, health, mental, improvement, moral discipline, etc.; that which is assigned or prescribed for such ends; hence, a disquisition; a lesson; a task; as, military or naval exercises; musical exercises; an exercise in composition. The clumsy exercises of the European tourney. --Prescott. He seems to have taken a degree, and performed public exercises in Cambridge, in 1565. --Brydges. 6. That which gives practice; a trial; a test. Patience is more oft the exercise Of saints, the trial of their fortitude. --Milton. Exercise bone (Med.), a deposit of bony matter in the soft tissues, produced by pressure or exertion.
Ex"er*cise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exercised; p. pr. & vb. n. Exercising.]1. To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to; to put in action habitually or constantly; to school or train; to exert repeatedly; to busy. Herein do I Exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence. --Acts xxiv. 16. 2. To exert for the sake of training or improvement; to practice in order to develop; hence, also, to improve by practice; to discipline, and to use or to for the purpose of training; as, to exercise arms; to exercise one's self in music; to exercise troops. About him exercised heroic games The unarmed youth. --Milton. 3. To occupy the attention and effort of; to task; to tax, especially in a painful or vexatious manner; harass; to vex; to worry or make anxious; to affect; to discipline; as, exercised with pain. Where pain of unextinguishable fire Must exercise us without hope of end. --Milton. 4. To put in practice; to carry out in action; to perform the duties of; to use; to employ; to practice; as, to exercise authority; to exercise an office. I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. --Jer. ix. 24. The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery. --Ezek. xxii. 29.
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