1393, from O.Fr. esploit, a very common v., used in senses of "action, deed, profit, achievement," from L. explicitum "a thing settled, ended, displayed," neut. of explicitus, pp. of explicare "unfold" (see explicit). Sense evolution is from "unfolding" to "bringing out" to "having advantage" to "achievement." The v. (M.E. espleiten, esploiten) meant "to accomplish;" the sense of "use selfishly" first arising 1838, as an adoption of Fr. exploiter.
exploitsecurity A security hole or an instance of taking advantage of a security hole. "[...] hackers say exploit. sysadmins say hole" -- Mike Emke. Emke reports that the stress is on the second syllable. If this is true, this may be a case of hackerly zero-deriving verbs (especially instantials) from nouns, akin to "write" as a noun to describe an instance of a disk drive writing to a disk. (2001-11-24)
n. [originally cracker slang] 1. A vulnerability in software that can be used for breaking security or otherwise attacking an Internet host over the network. The Ping O' Death is a famous exploit. 2. More grammatically, a program that exploits an exploit in sense 1,
Es*plees"\, n. pl. [LL. expletia, OF. espleit. Cf. Exploit.] (Old Eng. Law) The full profits or products which ground or land yields, as the hay of the meadows, the feed of the pasture, the grain of arable fields, the rents, services, and the like. --Cowell.
Ex*plic"it\, a. [L. explicitus; p. p. of explicare to unfold: cf. F. explicite. See Explicate, Exploit.]1. Not implied merely, or conveyed by implication; distinctly stated; plain in language; open to the understanding; clear; not obscure or ambiguous; express; unequivocal; as, an explicit declaration. The language of the charter was too explicit to admit of a doubt. --Bancroft. 2. Having no disguised meaning or reservation; unreserved; outspoken; -- applied to persons; as, he was earnest and explicit in his statement. Explicit function. (Math.) See under Function. Syn: Express; clear; plain; open; unreserved; unambiguous. Usage: Explicit, Express. Explicit denotes a setting forth in the plainest language, so that the meaning can not be misunderstood; as, an explicit promise. Express is stronger than explicit: it adds force to clearness. An express promise or engagement is not only unambiguous, but stands out in bold relief, with the most binding hold on the conscience. An explicit statement; a clear and explicit notion; explicit direction; no words can be more explicit. An explicit command; an express prohibition. "An express declaration goes forcibly and directly to the point. An explicit declaration leaves nothing ambiguous." --C. J. Smith.
Ex*ploit"\, n. [OE. esploit success, OF. esploit, espleit,revenue, product, vigor, force, exploit, F. exploit exploit, fr. L. explicitum, prop. p. p. neut. of explicare to unfold, display, exhibit; ex + plicare to fold. See Ply, and cf. Explicit, Explicate.]1. A deed or act; especially, a heroic act; a deed of renown; an adventurous or noble achievement; as, the exploits of Alexander the Great. Ripe for exploits and mighty enterprises. --Shak. 2. Combat; war. [Obs.] He made haste to exploit some warlike service. --Holland. 2. [F. exploiter.] To utilize; to make available; to get the value or usefulness out of; as, to exploit a mine or agricultural lands; to exploit public opinion. [Recent] 3. Hence: To draw an illegitimate profit from; to speculate on; to put upon. [Recent] In no sense whatever does a man who accumulates a fortune by legitimate industry exploit his employ['e]s or make his capital "out of" anybody else. --W. G. Sumner.