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Exercise definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

EX'ERCISE, n. s as z. [L. exercitium, from exerceo; Eng. work.]
In a general sense, any kind of work, labor or exertion of body. Hence,
1. Use; practice; the exertions and movements customary in the performance of business; as the exercise of an art, trade, occupation, or profession.
2. Practice; performance; as the exercise of religion.
3. Use; employment; exertion; as the exercise of the eyes or of the senses, or of any power of body or mind.
4. Exertion of the body, as conducive to health; action; motion, by labor, walking, riding, or other exertion.
The wise for cure on exercise depend.
5. Exertion of the body for amusement, or for instruction; the habitual use of the limbs for acquiring an art, dexterity, or grace, as in fencing, dancing, riding; or the exertion of the muscles for invigorating the body.
6. Exertion of the body and mind or faculties for improvement, as in oratory, in painting or statuary.
7. Use or practice to acquire skill; preparatory practice. Military exercises consist in using arms, in motions, marches and evolutions. Naval exercise consists in the use or management of artillery, and in the evolutions of fleets.
8. Exertion of the mind; application of the mental powers.
9. Task; that which is appointed for one to perform.
10. Act of divine worship.
11. A lesson or example for practice.
EX'ERCISE, v.t. [L. exerceo.]
1. In a general sense, to move; to exert; to cause to act, in any manner; as, to exercise the body or the hands; to exercise the mind, the powers of the mind, the reason or judgment.
2. To use; to exert; as, to exercise authority or power.
3. To use for improvement in skill; as, to exercise arms.
4. To exert one's powers or strength; to practice habitually; as, to exercise one's self in speaking or music.
5. To practice; to perform the duties of; as, to exercise an office.
6. To train to use; to discipline; to cause to perform certain acts, as preparatory to service; as, to exercise troops.
7. To task; to keep employed; to use efforts.
Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense towards God and men. Acts 24.
8. To use; to employ.
9. To busy; to keep busy in action, exertion or employment.
10. To pain or afflict; to give anxiety to; to make uneasy.
EX'ERCISE, v.i. To use action or exertion; as, to exercise for health or amusement.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: the activity of exerting your muscles in various ways to keep fit; "the doctor recommended regular exercise"; "he did some exercising"; "the physical exertion required by his work kept him fit" [syn: exercise, exercising, physical exercise, physical exertion, workout]
2: the act of using; "he warned against the use of narcotic drugs"; "skilled in the utilization of computers" [syn: use, usage, utilization, utilisation, employment, exercise]
3: systematic training by multiple repetitions; "practice makes perfect" [syn: exercise, practice, drill, practice session, recitation]
4: a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding; "you must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook" [syn: exercise, example]
5: (usually plural) a ceremony that involves processions and speeches; "academic exercises" v
1: put to use; "exert one's power or influence" [syn: exert, exercise]
2: carry out or practice; as of jobs and professions; "practice law" [syn: practice, practise, exercise, do]
3: give a workout to; "Some parents exercise their infants"; "My personal trainer works me hard"; "work one's muscles"; "this puzzle will exercise your mind" [syn: exercise, work, work out]
4: do physical exercise; "She works out in the gym every day" [syn: exercise, work out]
5: learn by repetition; "We drilled French verbs every day"; "Pianists practice scales" [syn: drill, exercise, practice, practise]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French exercice, from Latin exercitium, from exercitare to train, exercise, frequentative of exerc?re to train, occupy, from ex- + arc?re to enclose, hold off — more at ark Date: 14th century 1. a. the act of bringing into play or realizing in action ; use <the exercise of self-control> b. the discharge of an official function or professional occupation <exercise of his judicial duties> c. the act or an instance of carrying out the terms of an agreement (as an option) — often used attributively <an option's exercise price> 2. a. regular or repeated use of a faculty or bodily organ b. bodily exertion for the sake of developing and maintaining physical fitness <trying to get more exercise> 3. something performed or practiced in order to develop, improve, or display a specific capability or skill <arithmetic exercises> <vocal exercises> 4. a performance or activity having a strongly marked secondary or ulterior aspect <party politics has always been an exercise in compromise — H. S. Ashmore> 5. a. a maneuver, operation, or drill carried out for training and discipline <naval exercises> b. plural a program including speeches, announcements of awards and honors, and various traditional practices of secular or religious character <commencement exercises> II. verb (-cised; -cising) Date: 14th century transitive verb 1. a. to make effective in action ; use <didn't exercise good judgment> b. to bring to bear ; exert <exercise influence> c. to implement the terms of (as an option) 2. a. to use repeatedly in order to strengthen or develop <exercise a muscle> b. to train (as troops) by drills and maneuvers c. to put through exercises <exercise 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> intransitive verb to take exercise • exercisable adjective

U.S. Military Dictionary

A military maneuver or simulated wartime operation involving planning, preparation, and execution. It is carried out for the purpose of training and evaluation. It may be a multinational, joint, or single-Service exercise, depending on participating organizations. See also command post exercise; field exercise; maneuver.

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 activity requiring physical effort, done esp. as training or to sustain or improve health. 2 mental or spiritual activity, esp. as practice to develop a skill. 3 (often in pl.) a particular task or set of tasks devised as exercise, practice in a technique, etc. 4 a the use or application of a mental faculty, right, etc. b practice of an ability, quality, etc. 5 (often in pl.) military drill or manoeuvres. 6 (foll. by in) a process directed at or concerned with something specified (was an exercise in public relations). --v. 1 tr. use or apply (a faculty, right, influence, restraint, etc.). 2 tr. perform (a function). 3 a intr. take (esp. physical) exercise; do exercises. b tr. provide (an animal) with exercise. c tr. train (a person). 4 tr. a tax the powers of. b perplex, worry. Phrases and idioms: exercise book 1 a book containing exercises. 2 a book for writing school work, notes, etc., in. Derivatives: exercisable adj. exerciser n. Etymology: ME f. OF exercice f. L exercitium f. exercere exercit- keep at work (as EX-(1), arcere restrain)

Webster's 1913 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 practicing; employment in the proper mode of activity; exertion; application; use; habitual activity; occupation, in general; practice. exercise of the important function confided by the constitution to the legislature. --Jefferson. O we will walk this world, Yoked in all exercise of noble end. --Tennyson. 2. Exertion for the sake of training or improvement whether physical, intellectual, or moral; practice to acquire skill, knowledge, virtue, perfectness, grace, etc. ``Desire of knightly exercise.'' --Spenser. An exercise of the eyes and memory. --Locke. 3. Bodily exertion for the sake of keeping the organs and functions in a healthy state; hygienic activity; as, to take exercise on horseback. The wise for cure on exercise depend. --Dryden. 4. The performance of an office, a ceremony, or a religious duty. Lewis refused even those of the church of England . . . the public exercise of their religion. --Addison. To draw him from his holy exercise. --Shak. 5. That which is done for the sake of exercising, practicing, training, or promoting skill, health, mental, improvement, moral discipline, etc.; that which is assigned or prescribed for such ends; hence, a disquisition; a lesson; a task; as, military or naval exercises; musical exercises; an exercise in composition. The clumsy exercises of the European tourney. --Prescott. He seems to have taken a degree, and performed public exercises in Cambridge, in 1565. --Brydges. 6. That which gives practice; a trial; a test. Patience is more oft the exercise Of saints, the trial of their fortitude. --Milton. Exercise bone (Med.), a deposit of bony matter in the soft tissues, produced by pressure or exertion.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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; to busy. Herein do I Exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence. --Acts xxiv. 16. 2. To exert for the sake of training or improvement; to practice in order to develop; hence, also, to improve by practice; to discipline, and to use or to for the purpose of training; as, to exercise arms; to exercise one's self in music; to exercise troops. About him exercised heroic games The unarmed youth. --Milton. 3. To occupy the attention and effort of; to task; to tax, especially in a painful or vexatious manner; harass; to vex; to worry or make anxious; to affect; to discipline; as, exercised with pain. Where pain of unextinguishable fire Must exercise us without hope of end. --Milton. 4. To put in practice; to carry out in action; to perform the duties of; to use; to employ; to practice; as, to exercise authority; to exercise an office. I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. --Jer. ix. 24. The people of the land have used oppression and exercised robbery. --Ezek. xxii. 29.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

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. I wear my trusty sword, When I do exercise. --Cowper.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(exercises, exercising, exercised) Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English. 1. If you exercise something such as your authority, your rights, or a good quality, you use it or put it into effect. (FORMAL) They are merely exercising their right to free speech... Britain has warned travellers to exercise prudence and care. VERB: V n, V n • Exercise is also a noun. ...the exercise of political and economic power... Leadership does not rest on the exercise of force alone. N-SING: N of n 2. When you exercise, you move your body energetically in order to get fit and to remain healthy. She exercises two or three times a week... Exercising the body does a great deal to improve one's health. VERB: V, V n • Exercise is also a noun. Lack of exercise can lead to feelings of depression and exhaustion... N-UNCOUNT 3. If a movement or activity exercises a part of your body, it keeps it strong, healthy, or in good condition. They call rowing the perfect sport. It exercises every major muscle group. VERB: V n 4. Exercises are a series of movements or actions which you do in order to get fit, remain healthy, or practise for a particular physical activity. I do special neck and shoulder exercises... N-COUNT: usu pl 5. Exercises are military activities and operations which are not part of a real war, but which allow the armed forces to practise for a real war. General Powell predicted that in the future it might even be possible to stage joint military exercises... N-COUNT: usu pl, also on N 6. An exercise is a short activity or piece of work that you do, for example in school, which is designed to help you learn a particular skill. Try working through the opening exercises in this chapter... N-COUNT 7. If you describe an activity as an exercise in a particular quality or result, you mean that it has that quality or result, especially when it was not intended to have it. As an exercise in stating the obvious, this could scarcely be faulted... Think what a waste of taxpayers' money the whole exercise was. N-COUNT: usu sing, usu N in n/-ing 8. If something exercises you or your mind, you think or talk about it a great deal, especially because you are worried or concerned about it. This has been a major problem exercising the minds of scientists around the world... VERB: V n

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ek'-ser-siz (`asah; gumnazo, poieo) :

"Exercise" (meaning originally, "to drive or thrust out") has different shades of meaning: It means

(1) "to do," "to put into action" (Jer 9:24, `asah, "to do," "Yahweh who exerciseth lovingkindness"; Re 13:12, poieo, "to do," "He exerciseth all the authority of the first"; /APC Tobit 12:9, the Revised Version (British and American) "do");

(2) with violence implied, gazal, "to take away violently," "have exercised robbery" (Eze 22:29); "to act habitually" (Ps 131:1, halakh, "to walk," "Neither do I exercise myself in great matters" the Revised Version, margin "walk"; Ac 24:16, askeo, "to work up"; compare /APC 2Esdras 15:8; Ecclesiasticus 50:28);

(3) "to train" or "discipline," gumnazo, "to use exercise," "to train up" (1Ti 4:7, "Exercise thyself unto godliness"; Heb 5:14; 12:11; 2Pe 2:14; compare /APC 1Macc 6:30; 2Macc 15:12);

(4) "to afflict" (Ec 1:13; 3:10, `anah, "to be afflicted," "exercised therewith," "exercised in it"); in Mt 20:25; Mr 10:42, katakurieuo, "to lord it over," and katexousiazo, "to exercise authority," are translated respectively "exercise dominion" and "exercise authority," the English Revised Version "lord it over" and "exercise authority"; in Lu 22:25, the Greek words are kurieuo, "to be lord over" and exousiazo, "to have power or authority over," the Revised Version (British and American) "have lordship," "have authority." In 1Ti 4:8 the noun, gumnasia, meaning gymnastic exercise, occurs (somatike gumnasia), translated "bodily exercise," contrasted with "exercise unto godliness," the Revised Version (British and American) "For bodily exercise is profitable for a little (m "for little"); but godliness is profitable for all things," a saying to which the youth of all times would do well to give heed. In 2 Macc 4:9, Jason is said to have set up "a place of exercise" (gumnasion) in Jerusalem. In 1Pe 5:2 the Revised Version (British and American), "exercising the oversight" is substituted for "taking the oversight."

W. L. Walker

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

I. n. 1. Practice, use, appliance, application, performance, operation, employment. 2. Exertion, labor, work, toil, effort, action, activity. 3. Training, schooling, discipline, drill, drilling. 4. Lesson, task, test-lesson, examples for practice, praxis. II. v. a. 1. Exert (constantly), employ, busy, apply, use, put in action, set to work. 2. Exert, wield, effect, produce, carry into effect. 3. Discipline, train, drill, break in, habituate to practice. 4. Practise, pursue, carry on. 5. Task, try, test, put to the test. 6. Try, afflict, burden, annoy, trouble, pain, make anxious, render uneasy. III. v. n. Labor, work, make exertion, take exercise.

Foolish Dictionary

Bodily exertion requiring a $10,000 gymnasium, a ten-acre lot and impossible raiment. Originally confined to the wash-tub and the wood-pile.

Moby Thesaurus

Nachtmusik, abrade, absolute music, absorb, absorb the attention, act, acting, action, active use, activism, activity, adaptation, aerobics, agency, aggravate, agitate, air varie, aleatory, aleatory music, annoy, appliance, application, apply, apprentice, apprenticeship, arrangement, arrest, assignment, athletics, baccalaureate service, badger, bait, basic training, be at, bedevil, behavior, beset, bestow, boning, bother, brainwork, break, break in, breaking, breather, breed, breeding, bring to bear, bring up, bristle, brown off, bug, bullyrag, burden, burn up, busywork, calisthenics, callisthenics, carry on, catch, celebration, ceremonial, ceremony, chafe, chalk talk, chamber music, chamber orchestra, chare, charge, charm, chivy, chore, commencement, commission, composition, concern, condition, conditioning, conduct, conning, constitutional, consumption, contemplation, convocation, cram, cramming, cultivate, cultivation, daily dozen, descant, develop, development, devil, direction, discharge, discipline, discompose, discourse, disquisition, distemper, distress, disturb, do, do with, dog, doing, drill, drilling, driving, duty, effect, electronic music, employ, employment, empty formality, enchant, engage, engage in, engage the attention, engage the mind, engage the thoughts, engross, engross the mind, engross the thoughts, engrossment, enthrall, errand, etude, exasperate, execute, execution, exercises, exercising, exert, exertion, exploit, exposition, extensive study, fascinate, fash, fetch up, fetching-up, fish to fry, fit, fix, follow, form, formal, formality, foster, fostering, fret, function, functioning, gall, get, go in for, good use, grab, graduation, graduation exercises, grind, grinding, grip, gripe, groom, grooming, gymnastic exercises, gymnastics, handle, handling, harangue, harass, hard usage, hard use, harmonization, harry, headwork, heckle, hector, hold, hold spellbound, hold the interest, homework, homily, hound, house-train, housebreak, housebreaking, hypnotize, ill use, immerse, improve, improvement, in-service training, inaugural, inauguration, incidental music, initiation, inspection, instruction, instrumental music, invention, involve, involve the interest, irk, irritate, isometrics, job, job of work, labor, lecture, lecture-demonstration, lesson, lick into shape, limber up, liturgy, lucubration, make use of, make-work, manage, management, manipulate, manipulation, manual training, matters in hand, mental labor, mesmerize, miff, military training, mission, misuse, molest, monopolize, moral, moral lesson, morality, moralization, movement, movements, mummery, nag, needle, nettle, nocturne, nudzh, nurse, nurture, nurturing, object lesson, observance, obsess, occupation, occupy, occupy the attention, odd job, office, on-the-job training, operancy, operate, operation, operations, opus, orchestration, peeve, performance, performing, persecute, perturb, perusal, pester, physical education, physical jerks, pick on, piece, piece of work, pique, plague, play, pluck the beard, ply, pother, practice, praxis, preachment, preoccupy, preparation, prepare, production, program music, project, prosecute, provoke, pursue, put forth, put in tune, put into practice, put out, put to school, put to use, raise, raising, reading, ready, readying, rear, rearing, recital, recitation, rehearsal, rehearse, religious ceremony, responsibility, restudy, restudying, review, ricercar, ride, rile, rite, rite de passage, rite of passage, ritual, roil, rough usage, ruffle, running, score, send to school, sermon, service, set, set task, setting-up exercises, skull session, sloyd, solemnity, solemnization, sonata, sonatina, specialize in, spellbind, steering, stint, stretch, string orchestra, string quartet, study, studying, subject, swing, swotting, tackle, take in hand, take on, take to, take up, talk, task, teaching, tease, theme and variations, things to do, throw, torment, train, training, trio, trouble, try, try the patience, tweak the nose, undertake, upbringing, usage, use, using up, utilization, utilize, variation, vex, vocational education, vocational training, wage, warm up, warm-up, wide reading, wield, work, work at, work out, working, working-out, workings, workout, worry, wrong use, yoga