Exert

• POS: Verb (transitive)
• HYPHEN: ex=ert

CIDE DICTIONARY

Exert, v. t. [L. exertus, exsertus, p. p. of exerere, exserere, to thrust out; ex out + serere to join or bind together. See Series, and cf. Exsert.].

•  To thrust forth; to emit; to push out.  [1913 Webster]

  "So from the seas exerts his radiant head
  The star by whom the lights of heaven are led."  [1913 Webster]
•  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]
•  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."  [1913 Webster]

To exert one's self, to use efforts or endeavors; to strive; to make an attempt.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Exert, v.tr.
1 exercise, bring to bear (a quality, force, influence, etc.).
2 refl. (often foll. by for, or to + infin.) use one's efforts or endeavours; strive.

Derivative

exertion n.

Etymology

L exserere exsert- put forth (as EX-(1), serere bind)

THESAURUS

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

ROGET THESAURUS

Exert

Use

VB use, make use of, employ, put to use, put in action, put in operation, put in practice, set in motion, set to work, ply, work, wield, handle, manipulate, play, play off, exert, exercise, practice, avail oneself of, profit by, resort to, have recourse to, recur to, take betake oneself to, take up with, take advantage of, lay one's hands on, try, render useful, mold, turn to account, turn to use, convert to use, utilize, work up, call into play, bring into play, put into requisition, call forth, draw forth, press into service, enlist into the service, bring to bear upon, devote, dedicate, consecrate, apply, adhibit, dispose of, make a handle of, make a cat's-paw of, fall back upon, make a shift with, make the most of, make the best of, use up, swallow up, consume, absorb, expend, tax, task, wear, put to task.

Physical Energy

VB give energy, energize, stimulate, kindle, excite, exert, sharpen, intensify, inflame, wind up, strike home, into home, hard home, make an impression.