EXERCISE

[ex.er.cise] n [ME, fr. MF exercice, fr. L exercitium, fr. exercitare to train, exercise, freq. of exercere to train, occupy, fr. ex- + arcere to enclose, hold off--more at ark] (14c) 1 a: the act of bringing into play or realizing in action: use b: the discharge of an official function or professional occupation c: the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (as an option)

2. a: regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ b: bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness

3: something performed or practiced in order to develop, improve, or display a specific power or skill "arithmetic ~s"

4: a performance having a strongly marked secondary or ulterior aspect "party politics has always been an ~ in compromise --H. S. Ashmore"

5. a: a maneuver, operation, or drill carried out for training and discipline b pl: a program including speeches, announcements of awards and honors, and various traditional practices of secular or religious character "commencement ~s"

[2]exercise vb -cised ; -cis.ing vt (14c) 1 a: to make effective in action: use "didn't ~ good judgment" b: to bring to bear: exert "~ influence" c: to implement the terms of (as an option)

2. a: to use repeatedly in order to strengthen or develop b: to train (as troops) by drills and maneuvers c: to put through exercises "~ the horses" 3 a: to engage the attention and effort of b: to cause anxiety, alarm, or indignation in "the issues exercising voters this year" ~ vi: to take exercise -- ex.er.cis.able adj