exert definition | Dictionary.com

ex⋅ert

[ig-zurt]

–verb (used with object)

1.	to put forth or into use, as power; exercise, as ability or influence; put into vigorous action: to exert every effort.

2.	to put (oneself) into strenuous, vigorous action or effort.

Origin:
1650–60; < L ex(s)ertus, ptp. of exserere to thrust out, equiv. to ex- ex- ¹ + ser(ere) to bind together + -tus ptp. suffix

Related forms:

ex⋅er⋅tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source

Link To exert

ex·ert (ĭg-zûrt')

tr.v. ex·ert·ed, ex·ert·ing, ex·erts

To put to use or effect; put forth: exerted all my strength to move the box.
To bring to bear; exercise: exert influence.
To put (oneself) to strenuous effort: exerted ourselves mightily to raise funds.

[Latin exserere, exsert-, to put forth, stretch out : ex-, ex- + serere, to join; see ser-² in Indo-European roots.]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Exert

Ex*ert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exerted; p. pr. & vb. n. Exerting.] [L. exertus, exsertus, p. p. of exerere, exserere, to thrust out; ex out + serere to join or bind together. See Series, and cf. Exsert.]

1. To thrust forth; to emit; to push out. [Obs.]

So from the seas exerts his radiant head The star by whom the lights of heaven are led. --Dryden.

2. To put force, ability, or anything of the nature of an active faculty; to put in vigorous action; to bring into active operation; as, to exert the strength of the body, limbs, faculties, or imagination; to exert the mind or the voice.

3. To put forth, as the result or exercise of effort; to bring to bear; to do or perform.

When we will has exerted an act of command on any faculty of the soul or member of the body. --South.

To exert one's self, to use efforts or endeavors; to strive; to make an attempt.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source

Language Translation for : exert

Spanish: ejercer,

German: ausüben,

Japanese: 行使する

More Translations »

exert

1647, from L. exertus, pp. of exerere "thrust out, put forth," from ex- "out" + serere "attach, join" (see series). Exertion in the sense of "vigorous action" is from 1777.

Search another word or see exert on Thesaurus | Reference

About · Privacy Policy · Terms of Use · Advertise with Us · Link to Us · NASCAR® · Contact Us