exploit

 

verb

Pronunciation: /ɪkˈsplɔɪt, ɛk-/
[with object]
  • 1make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource): 500 companies sprang up to exploit this new technology
  • 2make use of (a situation) in a way considered unfair or underhand: the company was exploiting a legal loophole
  • benefit unfairly from the work of (someone), typically by overworking or underpaying them: women are exploited in the workplace

noun

Pronunciation: /ˈɛksplɔɪt/
  • a bold or daring feat: despite a series of colourful exploits, his agents obtained little intelligence of value

Derivatives

exploitable

Pronunciation: /ɪkˈsplɔɪtəb(ə)l, ɛk-/
adjective

exploiter

noun

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. Verb senses (mid 19th century) are from modern French exploiter