| 释义 |
▪ I. † eˈxert, pple. and ppl. a. Obs.
[ad. L. ex(s)ert-us pa. pple. of exserĕre to exert.]
Used as pa. pple. of next. Also as ppl. a. exsert, exserted.
1647H. More Song of Soul i. i. xxxix, The self-same power (Which is exert upon each mortall wight). Ibid. ii. ii. i. i, To view the various frie from their dark wombs exert. 1661Lovell Hist. Anim. & Min. Introd., They [the teeth] are not exert or serrate in any [animals] that are horned: but concavous in all.
▪ II. exert, v.|ɛgˈzɜːt|
[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.
1660tr. Amyraldus' Treat. Relig. ii. v. 231 The seeds of venome..will infallibly be exerted to our mischief. a1688Cudworth Immut. Mor. iv. i. §11 He that should say the Sun had a Power of exerting Light out of his own Body. 1690J. Banister in Phil. Trans. XVII. 671 The Film, the Nautilus..exerts, may be analogous to this. 1697Dryden Virg. Georg. ii. 596 Apple Trees, whose Trunks are strong to bear Their spreading Boughs, exert themselves in Air. 1708J. Philips Cyder ii. 60 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.]
a1700Dryden (J.), The several parts lay hidden in the piece, Th' occasion but exerted that or this. 1711Addison 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. 1743Fielding 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.
1681J. Flavel Right. Man's Ref. 210 God's Faithfulness..is actuated, and exerted in his Providences. 1693South Serm. 582 The fore mentioned faith..will..recover and exert itself. 1711Addison Spect. No. 112 ⁋1 And exerting all such qualities as are apt to give them a figure in the eye of the Village. 1766Goldsm. Vic. W. xii, Deborah exerted much sagacity in conjecturing. 1781Burke Corr. (1844) II. 453, I should have exerted every nerve for Mr. Laurens. 1804Med. Jrnl. XII. 298 To exert a power truly consistent with their constitutional prerogative. 1816J. Smith Panorama Sc. & Art II. 303 All bodies are capable of exerting electrical attraction. 1860Tyndall Glac. ii. xxi. 344 Supposing..the unimpeded thrust of the whole glacier..to be exerted on the ice at the Montanvert, etc. a1862Buckle 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 endeavours; to strive.
1736Butler Anal. i. ii. Wks. 1874 I. 35 By thus exerting ourselves, we obtain and enjoy these objects. 1796H. Hunter tr. St. Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) I. 62 Every individual..is under obligation to exert himself for the general good. 1861Trollope Barchester T. xiii, Every one must now exert himself who would not choose to go to the wall.
†b. intr. for refl. Obs.
a1749Philips Pastorals v, To try How art exerting, might with nature vie. 1799Mackintosh Law Nat. & Nations Wks. 1846 I. 363 Other men..have exerted to disguise the most miserable common-places in the shape of paradox.
†4. To perform, practise. Obs.
1662Glanvill Lux Orient. iii. 29 An occasioning him to exert an operation of his mind which he did not before. 1667Sydenham in J. Brown Horæ Subsec. Ser. i. (1882) 125 If it shall happen yt the Mercury shall..exert its operation by stooles. a1716South (J.), When the will has exerted an act of command upon any faculty of the soul. 1757Burke Abridgm. Eng. Hist. iii. iv, The youth..after exerting many useless acts of unfortunate bravery, fell in battle. |