/ ˈsɑːmplə(r); NAmE ˈsæm-/ noun
1.
a piece of cloth decorated with different stitches that people made in the past to show a person's skill at sewing
2.
a collection that shows typical examples of sth, especially pieces of music
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (denoting an example to be imitated): from Old French essamplaire exemplar.