Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Exert

Exert , transitive verb

[Latin exertus, exsertus, past participle of exerere, exserere, to thrust out; ex out + serere to join or bind together. See Series, and compare Exsert.]

1.
To thrust forth; to emit; to push out. [Obsolete]
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
Collocations (1)
To exert one's self , to use efforts or endeavors; to strive; to make an attempt.