example

Something that is representative of all such things in a group.

Noun

  1. Something that is representative of all such things in a group.
    • If Demandt's essay served as a strident example of the German desire for normalcy, a more subtle example was provided by a brief allohistorical depiction of a Nazi victory in World War II written by German historian...
    • The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them –...
  2. Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.
    • Plant breeding is always a numbers game.[…]The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation, […]. In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better. These rarities may be new...
  3. 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.
    • For I haue giuen you an example, that yee ſhould doe, as I haue done to you. - 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, John 13:15, column 1:
    • I gave, thou ſay'ſt, th' example, / I led the way; - 1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John...
  4. A person punished as a warning to others.
    • […]hang him, hee'le be made an example. - c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard,...
    • Now theſe things were our examples, to the intent wee ſhould not luſt after euil things, as they alſo luſted. - 1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Corinthians 10:6,...
  5. A parallel or closely similar case, especially when serving as a precedent or model.
    • Such temperate order in ſo fierce a cauſe, / Doth want example:[…] - c. 1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life and Death of King Iohn”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […]...
  6. 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.

Origin

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).

Forms

examples ex.

Synonyms

byspel exemplar exemplificator exemplum e.g.

Related

exemplar model pattern quotation template

Derived

by way of example counterexample example in point exampleless exampler exemplarily exemplary exemplification exemplify for example lead by example make an example of nonexample proof by example set an example Stein's example textbook example

Verb

  1. To be illustrated or exemplified (by).

Forms

examples exampling exampled ex.