from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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.
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Herein do I Exercise myself, to have always a
conscience void of offence. --Acts xxiv.
16.
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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.
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About him exercised heroic games
The unarmed youth. --Milton.
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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.
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Where pain of unextinguishable fire
Must exercise us without hope of end. --Milton.
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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.
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I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness,
judgment, and righteousness in the earth. --Jer. ix.
24.
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The people of the land have used oppression and
exercised robbery. --Ezek. xxii.
29.
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