To strongly encourage or urge someone to do something; to give earnest advice or appeal. It implies passionate persuasion rather than mere suggestion.
From Latin 'exhortari', combining 'ex-' (out) and 'hortari' (to encourage). The root 'hort-' also appears in 'horticulture' (encouraging plant growth), showing the connection to nurturing and urging forward.
Think of a coach 'exhorting' players - the 'ex-' means they're really putting their encouragement 'out there' with energy! It sounds like 'exhaust' because it takes effort to persuade.
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