verb , noun
■ verb / ɪkˈsplɔɪt; NAmE / [ vn ]
1.
( disapproving ) to treat a person or situation as an opportunity to gain an advantage for yourself :
He exploited his father's name to get himself a job.
She realized that her youth and inexperience were being exploited.
2.
( disapproving ) to treat sb unfairly by making them work and not giving them much in return :
What is being done to stop employers from exploiting young people?
3.
to use sth well in order to gain as much from it as possible :
She fully exploits the humour of her role in the play.
4.
exploit sth (for sth) to develop or use sth for business or industry :
countries exploiting the rainforests for hardwood
No minerals have yet been exploited in Antarctica.
► ex·ploit·er noun [ C ]
■ noun
/ ˈeksplɔɪt/ [ usually pl. ] a brave, exciting or interesting act :
the daring exploits of Roman heroes
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French esploit (noun), based on Latin explicare unfold, from ex- out + plicare to fold. The early notion of success, progress gave rise to the sense attempt to capture , military expedition , hence the current sense of the noun. Verb senses (mid 19th cent.) are from modern French exploiter .