- example
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/ig zam"peuhl, -zahm"-/, n., v., exampled, exampling.n.1. one of a number of things, or a part of something, taken to show the character of the whole: This painting is an example of his early work.2. a pattern or model, as of something to be imitated or avoided: to set a good example.3. an instance serving for illustration; specimen: The case histories gave carefully detailed examples of this disease.4. an instance illustrating a rule or method, as a mathematical problem proposed for solution.5. an instance, esp. of punishment, serving as a warning to others: Public executions were meant to be examples to the populace.6. a precedent; parallel case: an action without example.v.t.7. Rare. to give or be an example of; exemplify (used in the passive).[1350-1400; ME exa(u)mple < MF example < L exemplum, akin to eximere to take out (ex- EX-1 + emere to buy, orig. take); r. ME exemple < L, as above]Syn. 1. EXAMPLE, SAMPLE, SPECIMEN refer to an individual phenomenon taken as representative of a type, or to a part representative of the whole. EXAMPLE is used of an object, condition, etc., that is assumed to illustrate a certain principle or standard: a good example of baroque architecture. SAMPLE refers to a small portion of a substance or to a single representative of a group or type that is intended to show what the rest of the substance or the group is like: a sample of yarn. SPECIMEN usually suggests that the "sample" chosen is intended to serve a scientific or technical purpose: a blood specimen; zoological specimens. 2. See ideal. 3. See case1.
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Universalium. 2010.