[f. L. exert-, better exsert-, ppl. stem of exserĕre to put forth, bring out, f. ex- out + serĕre to bind, entwine. The formation is prob. due to antithesis with inserĕre to INSERT. See EXSERT v.]
† 1. trans. To thrust forth; to push out or up; to discharge (a seed); to emit (light, etc.). Obs. Cf. EXSERT.
1660. trans. Amyraldus’ Treat. Relig., II. v. 231. The seeds of venome … will infallibly be exerted to our mischief.
a. 1688. Cudworth, Immut. Mor., IV. i. § 11. He that should say the Sun had a Power of exerting Light out of his own Body.
1690. J. Banister, in Phil. Trans., XVII. 671. The Film, the Nautilus … exerts, may be analogous to this.
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., II. 596/89.
| Thus Apple Trees, whose Trunks are strong to bear | |
| Their spreading Boughs, exert themselves in Air. |
1708. J. Philips, Cyder, II. 60–1. The Orchart loves to wave With Winter-Winds, before the Gems exert Their feeble Heads.
† b. To bring to light (something previously hidden); to exhibit, reveal. Also, to put forth in action (one’s latent character). Obs. [Cf. L. paulatim exseruit principem, Suet. Tib.]
1692. Dryden, Eleonora, 11 (J.).
| The sev’ral parts lay hidden in the Piece; | |
| Th’ Occasion but exerted that, or this. |
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 130, ¶ 1. My Friend was in some doubt whether he should not exert the Justice of the Peace upon such a Band of Lawless Vagrants.
1743. Fielding, Wedding-day, II. i. They lead us into ruin with the face of angels, and when the door is shut on us, exert the devil.
2. To manifest in action, bring into active operation (force, a quality, etc.); to exercise, bring to bear. † To exert every nerve = to strain every nerve.
1681. Flavel, Right. Man’s Ref., 210. Gods Faithfulness … is actuated, and exerted in his Providences.
1693. South, Serm., 582. The fore mentioned faith … will … recover and exert itself.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 112, ¶ 1. And exerting all such qualities as are apt to give them a figure in the eye of the Village.
1766. Goldsm., Vic. W., xii. Deborah exerted much sagacity in conjecturing.
1781. Burke, Corr. (1844), II. 453. I should have exerted every nerve for Mr. Laurens.
1804. Med. Jrnl., XII. 298. To exert a power truly consistent with their constitutional prerogative.
1816. J. Smith, Panorama Sci. & Art, II. 393. All bodies are capable of exerting electrical attraction.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., II. xxi. 344. Supposing … the unimpeded thrust of the whole glacier … to be exerted on the ice at the Montanvert; [etc.].
a. 1862. Buckle, Misc. Wks. (1872), I. 133. In the middle ages the influence of the church was almost invariably exerted on the side of order and peace.
3. To exert oneself: to put forth one’s latent powers; to use efforts or endeavors; to strive.
1736. Butler, Anal., I. ii. Wks. 1874, I. 35. By thus exerting ourselves, we obtain and enjoy these objects.
1796. H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), I. 62. The happiness of every individual is attached to the happiness of Mankind. He is under obligation to exert himself for the general good, because his own depends upon it.
1861. Trollope, Barchester T., xiii. Every one must now exert himself who would not choose to go to the wall.
† b. intr. for refl. Obs.
a. 1749. Philips, Pastorals, v. To try How art exerting, might with nature vie.
1799. Mackintosh, Law Nat. & Nations, Wks. 1846, I. 362–3. Other men, in the pursuit of a transient popularity, have exerted to disguise the most miserable common-places in the shape of paradox.
† 4. To perform, practise. Obs.
1662. Glanvill, Lux Orient., iii. 29. An occasioning him to exert an operation of his mind which he did not before.
1667. Sydenham, in J. Brown, Horæ Subsec., Ser. I. (1882), 125. If it shall happen yt the Mercury shall … exert its operation by stooles.
1692. South, 12 Serm. (1697), I. 433 (J.). When the Will has exerted an Act of Command upon any Faculty of the Soul.
1757. Burke, Abridgm. Eng. Hist., III. iv. The youth … after exerting many useless acts of unfortunate bravery, fell in battle.
