Exert

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Exert \Ex*ert"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Exerted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
     {Exerting}.] [L. exertus, exsertus, p. p. of exerere,
     exserere, to thrust out; ex out + serere to join or bind
     together. See {Series}, and cf. {Exsert}.]
     1. To thrust forth; to emit; to push out. [Obs.]
        [1913 Webster]


  
              So from the seas exerts his radiant head
              The star by whom the lights of heaven are led.
                                                    --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To put force, ability, or anything of the nature of an
        active faculty; to put in vigorous action; to bring into
        active operation; as, to exert the strength of the body,
        limbs, faculties, or imagination; to exert the mind or the
        voice.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To put forth, as the result or exercise of effort; to
        bring to bear; to do or perform.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              When we will has exerted an act of command on any
              faculty of the soul or member of the body. --South.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     {To exert one's self}, to use efforts or endeavors; to
        strive; to make an attempt.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  exert
       v 1: put to use; "exert one's power or influence" [syn: {exercise}]
       2: of power or authority [syn: {wield}, {maintain}]
       3: make a great effort at a mental or physical task; "exert
          oneself"

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  33 Moby Thesaurus words for "exert":
     apply, attempt, bring into play, bring to bear, bust a gut,
     do with, employ, endeavor, exercise, expend, go all out, handle,
     make an effort, make use of, manage, manipulate, operate, play,
     ply, practice, push, put forth, put out, strain, strive, struggle,
     throw, toil, try, use, utilize, wield, work