Any activity designed to develop or hone a skill or ability.
The teacher told us that the next exercise is to write an essay.
Where noyse of armes, or vew of martiall guize / Might not reuiue desire of knightly exercize.1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto VI”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 25:
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an exercise of the eyes and memory1693, [John Locke], “§178”, in Some Thoughts Concerning Education, London: […] A[wnsham] and J[ohn] Churchill, […], →OCLC:
2
Activity intended to improve physical, or sometimes mental, strength and fitness.
I like to do my exercises every morning before breakfast. I do calisthenics for physical exercise, and I do crosswords for mental exercise.
Regular mental exercise keeps the circuits of the brain active and healthy and reduces the risk of dementia.2018, Timothy R. Jennings, The Aging Brain, →ISBN, page 107:
3
Such activity of physical nature, for physical fitness (plus also mental benefit).
Swimming is good exercise.
She does stomach exercises every day.
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This new-comer was a man who in any company would have seemed striking.[…]He was smooth-faced, and his fresh skin and well-developed figure bespoke the man in good physical condition through active exercise, yet well content with the world's apportionment.1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC:
4
Such activity of mental nature, for neurocognitive health.
Such exercises as puzzles and chess can help keep the mind sharp as we age.
5
A setting in action or practicing; employment in the proper mode of activity; exertion; application; use.
The law guarantees us the free exercise of our rights.
We urge the exercise of patience and restraint.
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December 8, 1801, Thomas Jefferson, first annual message exercise of the important function confided by the constitution to the legislature
O we will walk this world, / Yoked in all exercise of noble end.1847, Alfred Tennyson, “(please specify the page number, or |part=Prologue, I to VII, or conclusion)”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC:
6
The performance of an office, ceremony, or duty.
I assisted the ailing vicar in the exercise of his parish duties.
Lewis[…] refused even those of the church of England[…]the public exercise of their religion.1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
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He doth entreat your Grace, my noble lord, To visit him tomorrow or next day. To draw him from his holy exercise.c. 1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Richard the Third: […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene vii]:
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Obsolete That which gives practice; a trial; a test.
But patience is more oft the exerciſe / Of Saints, the trial of thir fortitude,1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 77:
Etymology From Middle English exercise, from Old French exercise, from Latin exercitium.
1
To exert for the sake of training or improvement; to practice in order to develop.
to exercise troops or horses; to exercise one's brain with a puzzle
2
To perform physical activity for health or training.
I exercise at the gym every day.
3
To use (a right, an option, etc.); to put into practice.
exercise caution
The tenant exercised his option to renew the tenancy.
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She is going to exercise her right to vote.
The people of the land haue vsed oppression, and exercised robbery, and haue vexed the poore and needie: yea, they haue oppressed the stranger wrongfully.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Ezekiel 22:29:
The pre-grouping railway managements were very chary about allowing other people's trains on their territory, and there were many instances where running powers granted by Act of Parliament were never actually excercised because of difficulties deliberately put in the way.1955 July, R. S. McNaught, “"Foreign" Engine Workings”, in Railway Magazine, page 497:
4
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.
Now often passive voice
exercised with pain
It is not a question that has exercised me greatly in the past.
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Where pain of unextinguiſhable fire / Muſt exerciſe us without hope of end1667, John Milton, “Book II”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC; republished as Paradise Lost in Ten Books: […], London: Basil Montagu Pickering […], 1873, →OCLC, lines 88–89:
5
Obsolete To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to.
And herein doe I exercise my selfe to haue alwayes a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 24:16:
Little disappointed, then, she turned attention to "Chat of the Social World," gossip which exercised potent fascination upon the girl's intelligence.1914 November, Louis Joseph Vance, “An Outsider […]”, in Munsey’s Magazine, volume LIII, number II, New York, N.Y.: The Frank A[ndrew] Munsey Company, […], published 1915, →OCLC, chapter I (Anarchy), page 373, column 2: