ex·er·cise ( ĕk s ər-s īz ′)
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n.1. a. Activity that requires physical or mental exertion, especially when performed to develop or maintain fitness: walks every day for exercise. b. A specific activity performed to develop or maintain fitness or a skill: sit-ups and other exercises; a piano exercise. 2. a. The active use or application of something: the exercise of good judgment. b. The discharge of a duty, function, or office. 3. An activity having a specified aspect: an undertaking that was an exercise in futility. 4. A military maneuver or training activity. 5. exercises A ceremony that includes speeches, presentations, and other activities: graduation exercises. v. ex·er·cised, ex·er·cis·ing, ex·er·cis·es v.tr.1. a. To subject to practice or exertion in order to train, strengthen, or develop: exercise the back muscles; exercise the memory. b. To put through exercises: exercise a platoon. See Synonyms at practice. 2. a. To make active use of; employ, apply, or exert: exercise restraint; exercise control. b. To discharge (duties, for example). 3. a. To carry out the functions of: exercise the role of disciplinarian. b. To execute the terms of (a stock option, for example). 4. To alarm, worry, or anger; upset: an injustice that exercised the whole community. v.intr. To engage in exercise.
[Middle English, from Old French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercitus, past participle of exercēre, to exercise : ex-, ex- + arcēre, to restrain.]
exer·cis′a·ble adj. |