Search the Dictionary

An absolute sovereign; a monarch who holds and exercises the powers of government by claim of absolute right, not subject to restriction; as, Autocrat of all the Russias (a title of the Czar).

r less extensive. -- To fight at barriers, to fight with a barrier between, as a martial exercise. [Obs.]

To possess and use, as power; to exercise. Every man should bear rule in his own house. Esther i. 22.

To exercise severely; to perplex; to trouble. Why should any one . . . beat his head about the Latin grammar who does not intend to be a critic Locke.

To exercise belief in; to credit upon the authority or testimony of another; to be persuaded of the truth of, upon evidence furnished by reasons, arguments, and deductions of the mind, or by circumstances other than personal knowledge; to regard or accept as true; to place confidence in; to think; to consider; as, to b…

To exercise powerful or controlling influence over; to bend, figuratively; to turn; to incline. Adversities do more bow men's minds to religion. Bacon. Not to bow and bias their opinions. Fuller.

; sparring. Blackstone. Boxing glove, a large padded mitten or glove used in sparring for exercise or amusement.

ong the colored people of the Southern United States, and so called, perhaps, because the exercise is continued until most of those who take part in it break down.

Gentle exercise, causing a quicker respiration. An after dinner's breath. Shak. Out of breath, breathless, exhausted; breathing with difficulty. -- Under one's breath, in low tones.

To promote free respiration in; to exercise. And every man should beat thee. I think thou wast created for men to breathe themselves upon thee. Shak.

That which puts one out of breath, as violent exercise. [Colloq.]

ad. (a) Same as Bridle path. Lowell. (b) A road in a pleasure park reserved for horseback exercise. -- Bridle track, a bridle path. -- Scolding bridle. See Branks, 2.

An inhuman act. The . . . brutalities exercised in war. Brougham.

To exercise or play at boxing; to strike; to smite; to strive; to contend. If I might buffet for my love, or bound my horse for her favors, I could lay on like a butcher. Shak.

To exercise the art, or practice the business, of building.

A system of government in which unrestricted power is exercised by a single person, to whom, as Cæsar or emperor, it has been committed by the popular will; imperialism; also, advocacy or support of such a system of government.

A gymnasium; esp. one for light physical exercise by women and children.

The science, art, or practice of healthful exercise of the body and limbs, to promote strength and gracefulness; light gymnastics.

To exercise the trade of a sculptor or carver; to engrave or cut figures.

ishop, or of any person in high authority. Ex cathedra Etym: [L., from the chair], in the exercise of one's office; with authority. The Vatican Council declares that the Pope, is infallible "when he speaks ex cathedra." Addis & Arnold's Cath. Dict.