
English word exercise comes from Latin arceo, and later Latin exercitium (Exercise, practice.)
arceo (Latin)
I defend, protect (from).. I keep off, ward off.. I shut up, enclose; box in.
exerceo (Latin)
I harass, worry. I keep busy, keep at work, drive on; occupy, employ, exercise (something in a form of action). I oversee, superintend, operate. I work (at).
exercitium (Latin)
Exercise, practice.
exercise (Old French)
exercise (English)
(intransitive) To perform physical activity for health or training.. (now, often, in passive) To occupy the attention and effort of; to task; to tax, especially in a painful or vexatious manner; harass; to vex; to worry or make anxious.. (obsolete) To set in action; to cause to act, move, or make exertion; to give employment to.. (transitive) To use (a right, an option, etc.); to put into [...]