Forms: 4–6 excercise, -cyse, -sise, -sice, 5–6 exercyse, 6 Sc. exerceis(s, -cyiss, exercice, 4– exercise. [ME. exercise, a. OF. exercice = Pr. exercici, exercisi:—L. exercitium, f. exercēre to keep at work, busy, employ, practise, train (cf. EXERCISE v.), f. ex- (see EX- pref.1) + arcēre to shut up, restrain.
The etymological notion of exercēre is obscure: it is often regarded as having meant primarily ‘to drive forth (tillage beasts),’ and hence ‘to employ, set to work.’]
1. The action of employing in its appropriate activity, (an organ, a faculty, or power) of giving practical effect to (a right), of exerting (influence or authority); the state or condition of being in active operation.
c. 1340. Hampole, Psalter iii. 5. I rase fra ded til lyf, fra ydelnes til excercise in godis seruys.
1608. Shaks., Per., I. iv. 38, B iv. These mouthes … are now staru’de for want of exercise.
1659. Pearson, Creed, 473. Thou shalt not suffer me … to continue without exercise, or power of exercising my vitall faculty.
1698–9. Ludlow, Mem. (1751), I. 246. Whether the House of Commons should take advice of the House of Lords in the exercise of the legislative power?
1729. Butler, Serm., iv. Wks. 1874, II. 46. Their conversation is merely an exercise of the tongue.
1792. Anecd. W. Pitt, II. xxix. 129. The exercise of this, their constitutional right, of giving … their own money.
1820. Scott, Ivanhoe, xxii. A large mouthful, which required the exercise of both jaws at once.
1820. Keats, Hyperion, I. 107. Godlike exercise Of influence benign.
1836–7. Sir W. Hamilton, Metaph., i. (1877), I. 7. The one condition under which all powers … are developed is exercise.
1879. Geo. Eliot, Coll. Breakf. P., 164. That exercise of soul Which lies in full obedience.
1890. Sir C. S. C. Bowen, in Law Times Rep., LXIII. 735/1. Such a matter as this is not one for the exercise of the judge’s discretion.
b. The use of or method of using (a weapon).
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xiv. 50. The excercyse of armes is dyscontynued.
1632. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 161. Nerves hardened with the continuall exercise of the sling.
1676. Abridgm. Eng. Mil. Discipl., 3. The Officer must first Command Silence, and then proceed (as followeth) to the Exercise of the Musquet.
1678. trans. Gaya’s Art of War, II. 57. The Exercise of the Pike.
† 2. Habitual occupation or employment; customary practice. To make it one’s exercise: to make it one’s employment. Obs.
1551. Robinson, trans. More’s Utop., II. (Arb.), 149. Thinking felicitie after this life to be gotten by … good exercises.
1593. Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., IV. vi. 85. Hunting was his dayly Exercise.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, V. ii. 581. So he makes it his exercise to torment and murther all whom he suspecteth.
1668. in T. W. Marsh, Early Friends in Surrey & Sussex, vii. (1886), 57. This is none of the Quakers exercise.
1738. Wesley, Psalms, I. ii. His Exercise by Day and Night To search his Soul-converting Word.
3. The practice (of virtues or vices); the habitual carrying out (of any particular kind of conduct); the practice or fulfilment of the duties of (a profession, office, etc.); the execution of (functions).
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 19. Upon the nature of this vice, Of custume and of exercise … A tale … I shall rehercen.
1432. Paston Lett., No. 18, I. 32. He may putte hem from excercise and occupacion of the Kinges service.
1538. Starkey, England, II. ii. 187. Abbeys and monasterys for the exercyse of a monastycal lyfe.
1552. Huloet, Exercise of marchandise. Negotiatio.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., IV. xiv. (1611), 167. Suspence of iudgement and exercise of charity were safer.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xxx. 181. To defend private men in the exercise of severall Trades.
1677. Hale, Prim. Orig. Man., I. i. 6. The Rules and Exercise of Architecture.
1773. Observ. State Poor, 42. The exercise of cruelty is too frequently a concomitant of the acquisition of power.
1850. Mrs. Jameson, Leg. Monast. Ord. (1863), 332. After some years spent in the exercise of every virtue.
1871. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), IV. xvii. 55. A … larger exercise both of concert and secrecy.
4. The practice and performance of rites and ceremonies, worship, etc.; the right or permission to celebrate the observances (of a religion). † Formerly also ellipt. = ‘exercise of worship.’ Cf. 10.
1656. B. Harris, Parival’s Iron Age, 48–9. The Emperours brother Mathias … granted the Exercise of the Confession of Auxbourgh, throughout all Austria. Ibid., 65. He … re-established the Exercise of the Roman Catholick Religion. Ibid., 215. The King hath lost seven Provinces, and the said Church, her exercise.
1705. Addison, Italy, 508. [Lewis] refus’d even those of the Church of England … the publick Exercise of their Religion.
1781. Gibbon, Decl. & F., III. 92. The exercise of public worship appears to be the only solid foundation of the religious sentiments of the people.
† 5. The action or process of training or drilling scholars, troops, etc.; an instance of this. Const. of. Camp of exercise: a camp established for the purpose of training troops. Obs.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), H. Now wil we speake of his laudable exercises of them that came to hym.
1538. Starkey, England, II. i. 161. A commyn place appoyntyd to the exercyse of vthe.
1676. Abridgm. Eng. Mil. Discipl., 51. The Exercise of Horse consisting in fewer Words of Command then that of Foot.
1819. Rees, Cycl., s.v. Camp, A Camp of peace and exercise.
¶ b. The action of working the ground (after L.).
1697. Dryden, Virg. Georg., I. 143/53. He with frequent Exercise Commands Th’ unwilling Soil [trans. exercet tellurem].
6. Practice for the sake of training or improvement, either bodily, mental or spiritual.
c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr., 14. A saule þat haues … by gastely excercyse ouercomene and dystroyede concupyscens and passiouns.
1483. Caxton, Cato, B iij. For by the same playe one may doo his excersise.
1509. Fisher, Fun. Serm. C’tess Richmond, Wks. 292. For her exercyse … she dyde translate dyuers maters of deuocyon out of the Frensshe into Englysshe.
1557. Recorde, Whetst., F ij b. Exercise is the beste instrument in learnyng.
c. 1570. Short Sum 1st Bk. Discipl. Ch. Scot., § 5. Reiders fvnd unabill, efter tua ȝeiris exerceis, for the ministrie.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, 8 b. In the drawing of a line … he meant a continual exercise to perfection.
1725–6. Pope, Odyss., VIII. 201. Skill’d in heroic exercise, I claim A post of honour.
1845. Stocqueler, Handbk. Brit. India (1854), 12. An army of exercise was assembled on the Gwalior frontier. Ibid. (1853), Mil. Encycl., Exercise, the practice of all those motions and actions, together with the whole management of arms, which are essential to the perfection of a soldier, and the rendering him fit for service.
† b. Acquired skill. Obs.
1602. Shaks., Ham., IV. vii. 98. Hee … gaue you such a Masterly report, For Art and exercise in your defence.
c. Disciplinary suffering, ‘trial’; an instance of this. Also, a state of distress or anxiety, a painful mental struggle. Now rare.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Clerk’s T., 1100. For our exercise, With sharpe scourges of adversitee … to be bete.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 1 b. Goostly exercyse, or mortifycacyon of the senses.
1657. Cromwell, Sp., 20 April (Carlyle). The exercise that hath been upon me these three or four days.
a. 1662. D. Dickson, in Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. lxxxviii. (title), The heaviest exercise we can imagine possible for a saint.
a. 1713. Ellwood, Autobiog. (1714), 31. For I presently saw, it would bring a very great exercise upon me.
1861. Mrs. Stowe, Pearl Orr’s Isl., iv. 26. These ’ere forty years that I ’ve been round nussin’, and layin’-out, and tendin’ funerals I ’ve watched people’s exercises.
7. Exertion of the muscles, limbs, and bodily powers, regarded with reference to its effect on the subject; esp. such exertion undertaken with a view to the maintenance or improvement of health. Often with modifying words, as carriage-, horse-, open air, walking, etc., exercise.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Nun’s Pr. T., 19. Attempre dyete was al hir phisik, And exercise and hertes suffisaunce.
1531. Elyot, Gov., I. xvi. By exercise … the health of man is preserued.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 299. Use not Exercise and a Spare Diet … if much Exercise, then a Plentifull Diet.
1699. Dryden, Ep. to J. Driden, 94, in Fables (1700), 97 (J.).
| The Wise, for Cure, on Exercise depend; | |
| God never made his Work, for Man to mend. |
1732. Arbuthnot, Rules of Diet, 261. Violent Exercise or Labour produceth this Effect.
1779. Johnson, Lett. to Mr. Thrale, 23 June. Exercise is labour used only while it produces pleasure.
1806–7. J. Beresford, Miseries Hum. Life (1826), II. xvi. To work in your garden for the sake of exercise.
1865. Handy Horse Bk., 32. Two hours’ daily exercise at a fast walk will be enough to keep a hack fit for his work.
8. A task prescribed or performed for the sake of attaining proficiency, for training either body or mind, or as an exhibition or test of proficiency or skill.
a. gen.
1576. Fleming, Panopl. Epist., 356. As well in bodilie exercises as in the also that beelong unto the minde.
1655. Walton, Angler (ed. 2), 23. What more manly exercise then hunting the Wild-Boare?
1662. Stillingfl., Orig. Sacr., II. iv. § 5. The exercises of those who were educated in these Schools of the Prophets, were instructions in the Law.
1817. Chalmers, Astron. Disc., i. (1852), 18. It is truly a most Christian exercise to extract a sentiment of piety from the works and the appearances of nature.
1860. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., V. IX. iv. § 6. 238. Of these the mason’s exercises are in the worst possible taste.
Mod. The use of the sloping ladder is an improving exercise.
b. In pl. Military drill, athletics, field sports, dancing, etc. Also in sing. as a collective term, or in sense of ‘a drill or parade.’ Often with modifying words, as bayonet-, cutlass-, small arm-, sword-, etc., exercise; also manual exercise (see MANUAL).
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel. (1546), B viij b. The father of Marke Aurelee themperour, had bene pretour in exercyses [mistranslating de los exercitos].
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., I. i. 76. Allow me such exercises as may become a gentleman.
1647. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., I. (1843), I. 4/2. He [George Villiers] spent two or three years in … learning the exercises of riding and dancing.
1704. Lond. Gaz., No. 3104. Let them [able Bodied Men] repair to Captain Silver … at his House … or at the Exercise on Black-Heath.
1705. Addison, Italy, 45 (J.). The French apply themselves more universally to their Exercises than any other Nation in the World.
1728. Pope, Dunc., II. Argt., Then follow the exercises for the Poets, for tickling, vociferating, diving.
1776. Gibbon, Decl. & F., I. xviii. 483. The exercises of the body prepared them for the fatigues of war.
1788. Franklin, Autobiog., Wks. 1840, I. 197. The several companies … were forming, and learning their exercise.
1796–7. Instr. & Reg. Cavalry (1813), 199. As steady in the ranks, as if he was at a common exercise.
c. As a University term: An academical declamation or disputation; a vivâ voce examination; a dissertation, musical composition, etc., required from candidates for degrees.
1563. Foxe, in Latimer’s Serm. & Rem. (1845), p. x. After some continuance of exercises in other things, he gave himself to the study of divinity.
a. 1656. Bp. Hall, Life, Rem. Wks. (1660), 10. Never durst I appear in any of those Exercises of Scholarship [public Disputations].
1701. W. Wotton, Hist. Rome, Marcus i. 3. He … obliged him to frequent the Lectures and Exercises of the Rhetoricians.
1705. Addr. Univ. Oxf., in Lond. Gaz., No. 4086/1. The Exercise performed in our Theater on New-year’s-Day.
1726. Amherst, Terræ Filius, xlii. (1754), 219. They have [at Oxford] long, tedious forms, which they call exercises, through which every candidate for a degree must pass.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Aristocr., Wks. (Bohn), II. 87. Noblemen are exempted from the public exercises for the degree.
1886. Oxf. Univ. Calendar, 56. The exercise [a piece of Vocal Music] is to be performed in public, and a copy of it to be deposited in the Music School. Ibid., 58. Doing the Exercises [Dissertations or exegetical Lectures] for one of the two [degrees] only.
d. A composition or translation written by pupils at school; a piece of music, a problem, etc., designed to afford practice to learners.
1612. Brinsley, Lud. Lit., iv. (1627), 32. Now those that write exercises, may take the opportunitie of that time, to write them so faire as they can.
1712. Budgell, Spect., No. 337, ¶ 8. A theme or copy of verses are the usual exercices.
1740. J. Clarke, Educ. Youth (ed. 3), 34. The Scribling a few lines of Latin Exercise every Night.
1751. Johnson, Rambler, No. 141, ¶ 4. I … was furnished with exercises and instructed in my lessons by some kind patron.
1841. J. T. Hewlett, Parish Clerk, II. 235. To prepare their exercises and lessons for the following day.
1853. Miss E. S. Sheppard, Ch. Auchester, I. xvii. 168. She began to sing her florid exercises.
e. A written composition; an essay, sermon, treatise.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., viii. (1693), 3 (R.). Having abundantly proved in our Last Exercise, That [etc.].
1703. Moxon, Mech. Exerc., 95. In my former Exercises, I did not teach you how to chuse the Tools a Smith was to use.
a. 1716. South, Serm. (1744), XI. 103. Would the time and measure of this exercise permit.
1880. T. Fowler, Locke, i. 8. These compositions do not rise much above, or sink much below, the ordinary level of such exercises.
† f. concr. The object of exercises; ‘the sport.’
1628. Ford, Lover’s Mel., I. i. (1629), 4. To be man (my Lord) Is to be but the exercise of cares In seuerall shapes.
† 9. A recreative employment, pastime. rare.
1622. Bacon, Hen. VII., 17. Thinking neuerthelesse to performe all things now, rather as an Exercise, then as a Labour.
10. A religious observance. Cf. 4.
a. gen. (sing. and pl.) Also religious exercise(s, exercises of devotion, religion, or worship.
1560–1. 1 st Bk. Discipl. Ch. Scot. (1621), 60. That exercise which St. Paul calls prophecying.
1604. Shaks., Oth., III. iv. 41. Fasting, and Prayer, much Castigation, Exercise deuout.
1641. Hinde, J. Bruen, xxvii. 85. Constancy in maintaining all good exercises of Religion.
1644. Direct. Publ. Worship, Ordinance 2. In all exercises of the publique worship.
1771. Smollett, Humph. Cl. (1815), 167. He had assisted in Lady Griskin’s, and several private houses, at exercises of devotion.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 606. His followers … passed a great part of the day in religious exercises.
1868. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), II. viii. 168. Punctual in every exercise of devotion.
1869. Phillips, Vesuv., iii. 49. The great ‘pine-tree’ of clouds, flame, cinders, and stones arose, producing great terror, and much religious exercise.
1880. T. Fowler, Locke, i. 5. Locke … must have occasionally found these tedious, and doubtless lengthy, exercises [religious services at college] somewhat irksome and unprofitable.
b. An act of public worship.
1574. Whitgift, Def. Answ., ii. Wks. (1851), I. 197. The exercises of ‘praying, singing of psalms, interpreting, and prophesying.’
1628. Earle, Microcosm., Shee precise Hypocrite (Arb.), 63. She … thinkes the Weeke-dayes Exercise farre more edifying then the Sundaies.
1636. Davenant, Witts, in Dodsley, O. Pl. (1780), VIII. 413. And squire thy untooth’d Aunt to an exercise.
1674. Consid. Peace & Goodw. Prot., 22. The main upholder of two famous Exercises.
1888. E. Eggleston, Graysons, x. 117. The ‘exercises’ lasted a full hour longer, and it was half-past 10 before the presiding elder gave the benediction.
c. An act of preaching or prophesying; a discourse.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., III. ii. 112. I am in your debt, for your last Exercise.
1604. Const. & Canons Eccl., lxxii. Sermons, commonly tearmed by some Prophesies or Exercises, in market-towns, or other places.
1650. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 272. Having a mind to see what was doing among the Rebels … I went … and found one at exercise in the chapel.
1799. C. Winter, in W. Jay, Mem., 30. When he closed his exercise, the people … seemed to say [etc.].
1868. J. G. Miall, Congreg. Yorksh., 22. Prophesyings, or, as they were now [in 1603] called, ‘Exercises.’
d. An act of private worship.
1592. Greene, Art Conny-catch., III. 11. They had said praiers, their euening exercise.
1663. Flagellum; or O. Cromwell (1672), 21. The Family was called together to prayers, at which Exercise … they continued long.
1822. Galt, Steam-boat, 299. I … went down stairs again to the parlour to make exercise.
1824. Scott, St. Ronan’s, xxviii. That honest person was, according to his own account … engaged in the exercise of the evening.
1825. J. Neal, Bro. Jonathan, I. 34. On a Saturday evening … after the ‘exercises’ have been finished … they fall into serious conversation.
e. Sc. The discussion of a passage of Scripture; a meeting of the Presbytery for holding such a discussion. Exercise and Addition: see quot. 1709.
1572. Lament. Lady Scot., in Scot. Poems 16th C., II. 246. The word of God is … in the schuills exercise trewlie teichit.
1598. Sc. Acts Jas. VI. (1814), 189. Exemit … fra all teiching in kirkis and congregationis, except in exerceissis and censuring of doctrine in exerceissis.
1709. W. Steuart, Collect. & Observ., 30. The Presbyterial Exercise and Addition: The Exercise gives the Coherence of the Text and Context, the Logical Division, [etc.]. The Addition gives the Doctrinal Propositions or Truths.
1884. C. Rogers, Soc. Life Scotl., II. xi. 89. In 1638 the Presbytery of St Andrews at their weekly meetings were proceeding through St John’s Gospel with an exercise and addition on every verse.
f. Hence the Presbytery itself.
1578. Act Presb. Edin., in Wodr. Soc. Misc. (1844), 407. The Brethren of the Exercyiss of Edinburgh beand convenit.
1612. Sc. Acts Jas. VI. (1814), 499/1. The Ministers of the exercise of Dalkeith fand the best meane for reparing of the Kirk … to be [etc.].
1884. C. Rogers, Soc. Life Scotl., II. xi. 89. Members of each Presbytery, then styled ‘the Exerceis.’
11. attrib. in exercise book, a blank book of the kind used in schools for the writing of exercises.
