Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EX'ER-CISE, v.t. [L. exerceo; Fr. exercer; It. esercere; Sp. exercer. See the Noun.]

1. In a general sense, to move; to exert; to cause to act, in any manner; as, to exercise the body or the hands; to exercise the mind, the powers of the mind, the reason or judgment.
2. To use; to exert; as, to exercise authority or power.
3. To use for improvement in skill; as, to exercise arms.
4. To exert one's powers or strength; to practice habitually; as to exercise one's self in speaking or music.
5. To practice; to perform the duties of; as, to exercise an office.
6. To train to use; to discipline; to cause to perform certain acts, as preparatory to service; as, to exercise troops.
7. To task; to keep employed; to use efforts. Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and men. Acts xxiv.
8. To use; to employ.
9. To busy; to keep busy in action, exertion, or employment.
10. To pain or afflict; to give anxiety to; to make uneasy.