From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Exert \Ex*ert"\, verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Exerted}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Exerting}.] [L. exertus, exsertus, p. p. of exerere, exserere, to thrust out; ex out + serere to join or bind together. See {Series}, and cf. {Exsert}.]
1. To thrust forth; to emit; to push out. [Obs.]
So from the seas exerts his radiant head The star by whom the lights of heaven are led. --Dryden.
2. To put force, ability, or anything of the nature of an active faculty; to put in vigorous action; to bring into active operation; as, to exert the strength of the body, limbs, faculties, or imagination; to exert the mind or the voice.
3. To put forth, as the result or exercise of effort; to bring to bear; to do or perform.
When we will has exerted an act of command on any faculty of the soul or member of the body. --South.
{To exert one's self}, to use efforts or endeavors; to strive; to make an attempt.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
verb
1: put to use; "exert one's power or influence" [syn: {exercise}]
2: of power or authority [syn: {wield}, {maintain}]
3: make a great effort at a mental or physical task; "exert oneself"
From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:
33 Moby Thesaurus words for "exert": apply, attempt, bring into play, bring to bear, bust a gut, do with, employ, endeavor, exercise, expend, go all out, handle, make an effort, make use of, manage, manipulate, operate, play, ply, practice, push, put forth, put out, strain, strive, struggle, throw, toil, try, use, utilize, wield, work
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Let's see what we can do if we put our heads together.
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