ex·ploit (ĕk'sploit', ĭk-sploit')
n.
An act or deed, especially a brilliant or heroic one. See synonyms at feat¹.

tr.v., -ploit·ed, -ploit·ing, -ploits. (ĭk-sploit', ĕk'sploit')

1. To employ to the greatest possible advantage: exploit one's talents.
2. To make use of selfishly or unethically: a country that exploited peasant labor. See synonyms at manipulate.
3. To advertise; promote.

[Middle English, from Old French esploit, from Latin explicitum, neuter past participle of explicāre, to unfold. See explicate.]

exploitability ex·ploit'a·bil'i·ty n.
exploitable ex·ploit'a·ble adj.
exploitative ex·ploit'a·tive or ex·ploit'ive adj.
exploitatively ex·ploit'a·tive·ly or ex·ploit'ive·ly adv.
exploiter ex·ploit'er n.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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