I. ˈekˌslȯit also ikˈs- or ekˈs-, usu -ȯid.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English exploit, expleit, esploit, espleit outcome, success, enterprise, from Old French, accomplishment, success, revenue, from Latin explicitum, neuter of explicitus, past participle of explicare to unfold, set in order — more at explicate
: deed , act ; especially : a notable or heroic act : feat
the exploits of Columbus
a gallant exploit
II. ikˈsplȯit, (ˈ)ek|s-, usu -ȯid.+V transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English expleiten, esploiten, espleiten, from Middle French exploiter, expleiter, esploiter, espleiter, from Old French exploitier, expleitier, esploitier, espleitier, from exploit, expleit, esploit, espleit, n.
1. obsolete : achieve , perform
2.
a.
(1) : to turn (a natural resource) to economic account : work , cultivate
exploit a mine
exploit the virgin lands of the West
(2) : to take advantage of : utilize
exploited his distinctive talent for book illustration — Herbert Read
exploiting the materials … and the techniques of our time — New York Times
b. : to make use of meanly or unjustly for one's own advantage or profit : take undue advantage of
exploits his friends
specifically : to utilize the labor power of (a person) without giving a just or equivalent return
struck by the degree in which the peasant was exploited by the noble — M.H.Dodwell