exert

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
exert /ɪgˈzəːt, ɛg-/

▶verb

• 1 apply or bring to bear (a force, influence, or quality).

• 2 (exert oneself) make a physical or mental effort.

– derivatives
exertion noun.

– origin C17: from L. exserere ‘put forth’.