ex·ert 
(ĭg-zûrt)
(ĭg-zûrt)tr.v. ex·ert·ed, ex·ert·ing, ex·erts
1. To put to use or effect; put forth: exerted all my strength to move the box.
2. To bring to bear; exercise: exert influence.
3. To put (oneself) to strenuous effort: exerted ourselves mightily to raise funds.
[Latin exserere, exsert-, to put forth, stretch out : ex-, ex- + serere, to join; see ser-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]