properly denotes exercise of the body. It is formed from the verb *ascein*, used by the ancients in speaking of the sports and combats of the athlete.

**ASCEPSIS** is also used by philosophers, to denote an exercise conducive to virtue, or to the acquiring a greater degree of virtue. This is particularly denominated the *philosophical ascesis*, because practised chiefly by philosophers, who make a more peculiar profession of improving themselves in virtue; on the model whereof the ancient Christians introduced a religious ascesis.