exercise

exercise
{{11}}exercise (n.) mid-14c., "condition of being in active operation; practice for the sake of training," from O.Fr. exercice (13c.) "exercise, execution of power; physical or spiritual exercise," from L. exercitium "training, exercise," from exercitare, frequentative of exercere "keep busy, drive on," lit. "remove restraint," from ex- "off" (see EX- (Cf. ex-)) + arcere "keep away, prevent, enclose," from PIE *ark- "to hold, contain, guard" (see ARCANE (Cf. arcane)). Original sense may have been driving farm animals to the field to plow. Meaning "physical activity" first recorded in English late 14c.; in reference to wirtten schoolwork frm early 17c. The ending was abstracted for formations such as dancercise (1967); jazzercise (1977); and boxercise (1985).
{{12}}exercise (v.) late 14c., "to employ, put into active use," from EXERCISE (Cf. exercise) (n.); originally "to make use of;" also in regard to mental and spiritual training; sense of "engage in physical activity" is from 1650s. Related: Exercised; exercises; exercising.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • exercise — ex·er·cise 1 / ek sər ˌsīz/ n 1: the discharge of an official function or professional occupation 2: the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (as an option) exercise 2 vt cised, cis·ing 1: to make effective in action …   Law dictionary

  • Exercise — Ex er*cise, n. [F. exercice, L. exercitium, from exercere, exercitum, to drive on, keep, busy, prob. orig., to thrust or drive out of the inclosure; ex out + arcere to shut up, inclose. See {Ark}.] 1. The act of exercising; a setting in action or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Exercise — Ex er*cise, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Exercised}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Exercising}.] 1. To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to; to put in action habitually or constantly; to school or train; to exert repeatedly;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Exercise — Ex er*cise, v. i. To exercise one s self, as under military training; to drill; to take exercise; to use action or exertion; to practice gymnastics; as, to exercise for health or amusement. [1913 Webster] I wear my trusty sword, When I do… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • exercise — [n1] work, effort act, action, activity, calisthenics, constitutional*, daily dozen*, discharge, discipline, drill, drilling, examination, exercising, exertion, gym, labor, lesson, movement, occupation, operation, performance, problem, pursuit,… …   New thesaurus

  • exercise — [ek′sər sīz΄] n. [ME & OFr exercice < L exercitium < pp. of exercere, to drive out (farm animals to work), hence drill, exercise < ex , out + arcere, to enclose < IE base * areq , to protect, enclose > Gr arkein] 1. active use or… …   English World dictionary

  • exercise — ► NOUN 1) activity requiring physical effort carried out for the sake of health and fitness. 2) a task set to practise or test a skill. 3) an activity carried out for a specific purpose: a public relations exercise. 4) (exercises) military drills …   English terms dictionary

  • exercise — n practice, drill (see under PRACTICE vb) Analogous words: *action, act, deed: using or use, employment, utilization, application (see corresponding verbs at USE): operation, functioning, behavior (see corresponding verbs at ACT) exercise vb… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • exercise — both as a noun and a verb, is spelt ise, not ize, and has only one c …   Modern English usage

  • exercise — exercisable, adj. /ek seuhr suyz /, n., v., exercised, exercising. n. 1. bodily or mental exertion, esp. for the sake of training or improvement of health: Walking is good exercise. 2. something done or performed as a means of practice or… …   Universalium

  • exercise — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun 1 use of the body to keep healthy ADJECTIVE ▪ good, healthy ▪ hard, heavy, high intensity (esp. AmE), intense, strenuous, vigorous …   Collocations dictionary

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