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exploit

Syllabification: (ex·ploit)
Translate exploit | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of exploit

verb

Pronunciation: /ikˈsploit/
[with object]
  • make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource):500 companies sprang up to exploit this new technology
  • use (a situation or person) in an unfair or selfish way:the company was exploiting a legal loophole accusations that he exploited a wealthy patient
  • benefit unfairly from the work of (someone), typically by overworking or underpaying them:making money does not always mean exploiting others

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈekˌsploit/
  • a bold or daring feat:the most heroic and secretive exploits of the war

Derivatives

exploitable

adjective

exploitative

Pronunciation: /ikˈsploitətiv/
adjective

exploiter

Pronunciation: /ikˈsploitər/
noun

exploitive

Pronunciation: /ikˈsploitiv/
adjective

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French esploit (noun), based on Latin explicare 'unfold' (see explicate). The early notion of 'success, progress' gave rise to the sense 'attempt to capture', 'military expedition', hence the current sense of the noun. Current verb senses (mid 19th century) are taken from modern French exploiter

exploit in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of exploit in the British & World English dictionary
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