n. & v.
--n.
1. a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like.
2 a small amount of fabric, food, or other commodity, esp. given to a prospective customer.
3 a specimen, esp. one taken for scientific testing or analysis.
4 an illustrative or typical example.
--v.tr.
1. take or give samples of.
2 try the qualities of.
3 get a representative experience of.
Phrases and idioms:
sample bag Austral. an (orig. free) bag of advertisers' samples.
Etymology: ME f. AF assample, OF essample EXAMPLE