n. & v.
--n.
1. a thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule.
2 a person, thing, or piece of conduct, regarded in terms of its fitness to be imitated (must set him an example; you are a bad example).
3 a circumstance or treatment seen as a warning to others; a person so treated (shall make an example of you).
4 a problem or exercise designed to illustrate a rule.
--v.tr. (usu. in passive) serve as an example of.
Phrases and idioms:
for example by way of illustration.
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L exemplum (as EXEMPT)