exercise

[ek-ser-sahyz] /ˈɛk sərˌsaɪz/
noun
1.
bodily or mental exertion, especially for the sake of training or improvement of health:
Walking is good exercise.
2.
something done or performed as a means of practice or training:
exercises for the piano.
3.
a putting into action, use, operation, or effect:
the exercise of caution.
4.
a written composition, musical piece, or artistic work executed for practice or to illustrate a particular aspect of technique.
5.
Often, exercises. a traditional ceremony:
graduation exercises.
6.
a religious observance or service.
verb (used with object), exercised, exercising.
7.
to put through exercises, or forms of practice or exertion, designed to train, develop, condition, or the like:
to exercise a horse.
8.
to put (faculties, rights, etc.) into action, practice, or use:
to exercise freedom of speech.
9.
to use or display in one's action or procedure:
to exercise judgment.
10.
to make use of (one's privileges, powers, etc.):
to exercise one's constitutional rights.
11.
to discharge (a function); perform:
to exercise the duties of one's office.
12.
to have as an effect:
to exercise an influence on someone.
13.
to worry; make uneasy; annoy:
to be much exercised about one's health.
verb (used without object), exercised, exercising.
14.
to go through exercises; take bodily exercise.
Origin
1300-50; Middle English (noun) < Middle French exercice < Latin exercitium, equivalent to exercit(us) past participle of exercēre to train (ex- ex-1 + -ercit-, stem of combining form of arcēre to restrain) + -ium noun suffix
Related forms
exercisable, adjective
nonexercisable, adjective
nonexercise, noun
overexercise, verb, overexercised, overexercising.
postexercise, adjective
reexercise, verb, reexercised, reexercising.
underexercise, verb (used without object), underexercised, underexercising.
unexercisable, adjective
unexercised, adjective
well-exercised, adjective
Can be confused
exercise, exorcise (see synonym study at the current entry)
Synonyms
1. activity; calisthenics, gymnastics. 2. Exercise, drill, practice refer to activities undertaken for training in some skill. Exercise is the most general term and may be either physical or mental: an exercise in arithmetic. Drill is disciplined repetition of set exercises, often performed in a group, directed by a leader: military drill. Practice is repeated or methodical exercise: Even great musicians require constant practice. 3. employment, application, practice, performance. 6. ritual. 7. discipline, drill, school. 9. employ, apply, exert, practice. 13. try, trouble.
Antonyms
1. inaction.
Examples from the web for exercise
  • Paradoxically, doing more exercise is likely to improve your energy.
  • No one, at any age, who is not used to exercise should begin suddenly and strenuously.
  • Many studies have linked exercise with improved brain health later in life.
  • He has counseled her on what to eat and how to exercise.
  • Each exercise is well described and illustrated.
  • You get the most benefit from exercise if you do it for at least 60 minutes a day for 5 - 6 days a week.
  • You've probably promised yourself to get off the couch and get some exercise.
  • This is a grand exercise in labeling and filtering students with arbitrary grades rather than teaching them.
  • New study links exercise to greater longevity.
  • All newspaper editors, having common sense, exercise censorship while keeping an eye on circulation.
British Dictionary definitions for exercise

exercise

/ˈɛksəˌsaɪz/
verb (mainly transitive)
1.
to put into use; employ: to exercise tact
2.
(intransitive) to take exercise or perform exercises; exert one's muscles, etc, esp in order to keep fit
3.
to practise using in order to develop or train: to exercise one's voice
4.
to perform or make proper use of: to exercise one's rights
5.
to bring to bear; exert: to exercise one's influence
6.
(often passive) to occupy the attentions of, esp so as to worry or vex: to be exercised about a decision
7.
(military) to carry out or cause to carry out, manoeuvres, simulated combat operations, etc
noun
8.
physical exertion, esp for the purpose of development, training, or keeping fit
9.
mental or other activity or practice, esp in order to develop a skill
10.
a set of movements, questions, tasks, etc, designed to train, improve, or test one's ability in a particular field: piano exercises
11.
a performance or work of art done as practice or to demonstrate a technique
12.
the performance of a function; discharge: the exercise of one's rights, the object of the exercise is to win
13.
(sometimes pl) (military) a manoeuvre or simulated combat operation carried out for training and evaluation
14.
(usually pl) (US & Canadian) a ceremony or formal routine, esp at a school or college: opening exercises, graduation exercises
15.
(gymnastics) a particular type of event, such as performing on the horizontal bar
Derived Forms
exercisable, adjective
Word Origin
C14: from Old French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercēre to drill, from ex-1 + arcēre to ward off
Word Origin and History for exercise
n.

mid-14c., "condition of being in active operation; practice for the sake of training," from Old French exercice (13c.) "exercise, execution of power; physical or spiritual exercise," from Latin exercitium "training, exercise," from exercitare, frequentative of exercere "keep busy, drive on," literally "remove restraint," from ex- "off" (see ex-) + arcere "keep away, prevent, enclose," from PIE *ark- "to hold, contain, guard" (see 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 written schoolwork from early 17c. The ending was abstracted for formations such as dancercise (1967); jazzercise (1977); and boxercise (1985).

v.

late 14c., "to employ, put into active use," from 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.

exercise in Medicine

exercise ex·er·cise (ěk'sər-sīz')
n.
Active bodily exertion performed to develop or maintain fitness.