exercise English · revision 3932

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1340|origins=la exercēre}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈek.sə.saɪz/, US /ˈek.sɚ.saɪz/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|exercise]],^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|exercice|t=exercise, execution of power; physical or spiritual exercise]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[la|exercitium|t=training, physical exercise]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|la|exercitāre]], a frequentative of [[m|la|exercēre|t=to keep busy, keep at work; to train]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from ex- “off” and arcēre “to keep away, prevent; to enclose”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) from [[ine-pro|*ark-|t=to hold, contain, guard]].^(Etymonline) The original notion in the Latin verb is obscure.^(Etymonline) The verb is from the noun.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) It is related to [[ark]] and [[arcane]].^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ “The condition of being in active operation; practice for the sake of training”: mid-14th century in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) the OED has the employment of a faculty or right about 1340,^(OED 1989) and Barnhart effort or application, as for virtue, about 1340.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Physical activity for fitness is first recorded in the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales about 1390.^(Barnhart 1988) Also from the late 14th century it meant the carrying out of an action and a disciplinary task.^(Etymonline) The verb, “to put into active use”, is from the late 14th century,^(Etymonline) about 1380 in Chaucer's Boethius,^(Barnhart 1988) and also meant “to train, drill, discipline”;^(Etymonline) “to take physical exercise” is from the 1650s.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Religious observance was an ''exercise'' from the 16th century,^(Hoad 1986)^(OED 1989) and in Scots ''to make exercise'' was to hold family prayers.^(Wright 1898) Written schoolwork is from the early 17th century.^(Etymonline) The ending was taken for formations such as ''dancercise'' (1967), ''jazzercise'' (1977) and ''boxercise'' (1985).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1340 – active use; practice.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1380 – verb, to put to use.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1390 – physical exercise.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 16th century – a religious observance.^(Hoad 1986)

+ * early 17th century – written schoolwork.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1650s – to take physical exercise.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1967 – ''dancercise''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act of using or putting into play: ''the exercise of power''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # The discharge of a duty or function.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Physical or mental exertion, especially to develop or maintain fitness.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A task or problem done to develop skill: ''a piano exercise''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A military [[drill]] or manoeuvre.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # ''Exercises'', a public ceremony: ''graduation exercises''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To put into play; to use: ''exercise caution''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To bring to bear; to [[exert]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To train or strengthen by practice or exertion.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To take exercise.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # To worry or [[preoccupy]]: ''exercised about the problem''.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[exercisable]]

+ * [[dancercise]]

+ * [[exercycle]]

+ * [[jazzercise]]

+ * [[nonexercise]]

+ * [[postexercise]]

+ * [[overexercise]]

+ * [[underexercise]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[ark]]

+ * [[arcane]]

+ * [[exert]]

+ * [[exercitation]]

+ * [[coerce]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}