example
UK /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/ · US /ɪɡˈzæm.pəl/ noun, verb
Forms examples exampling exampled ex.
- noun Something that is representative of all such things in a group.
- noun Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.
- noun Something that serves as a pattern of behaviour to be imitated (a good example) or not to be imitated (a bad example). “Nelson Mandela was an example for many to follow.”
- noun A person punished as a warning to others.
- noun A parallel or closely similar case, especially when serving as a precedent or model.
- noun An instance (as a problem to be solved) serving to illustrate the rule or precept or to act as an exercise in the application of the rule.
- verb To be illustrated or exemplified (by).
Synonyms
byspel exemplar exemplificator exemplum e.g. illustration instance representative model good example deterrent example lesson object lesson case exercise
Etymology
From Middle English example, exaumple, from Old French example, essaumple, from Latin exemplum (“sample, pattern, specimen, copy for imitation, etc.”, literally “what is taken out”); see exempt. Doublet of exemplum and sample. Displaced native Middle English forebisne, from Old English forebȳsn; and Middle English bisne, from Old English bȳsn (modern English bizen).
Webster’s 1913
- noun One or a portion taken to show the character or quality of the whole; a sample; a specimen.
- noun That which is to be followed or imitated as a model; a pattern or copy.
- verb To set an example for; to give a precedent for; to exemplify; to give an instance of; to instance. [Obs.] "I may example my digression by some mighty precedent." Shak.
Etymology [A later form for ensample, fr. L. exemplum, orig., what is taken out of a larger quantity, as a sample, from eximere to take out. See Exempt, and cf. Ensample, Sample.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “example”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details