/ ɪgˈzɜːt; NAmE ɪgˈzɜːrt/ verb [ vn ]
1.
to use power or influence to affect sb/sth :
He exerted all his authority to make them accept the plan.
The moon exerts a force on the earth that causes the tides.
2.
exert yourself to make a big physical or mental effort :
In order to be successful he would have to exert himself.
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (in the sense perform, practise ): from Latin exserere put forth, from ex- out + serere bind.