I. igˈzemplə(r), eg-, -ˌplär, -ˌplȧ(r noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English exaumplere, exemplar, from Middle French & Latin; Middle English exaumplere from Middle French exemplaire, examplaire, from Late Latin exemplarium, alteration of Latin exemplar; Middle English exemplar from Latin, from exemplum model, example, copy — more at example
: one that serves as a model or example: as
a. : an ideal model
Plato, the classic exemplar of the moral theory — Hunter Mead
b. : a typical or standard specimen
c. : a copy of a book
d. : a manuscript or copy of a text from which other copies were made
e. : a philosophical archetype ; specifically : universal
Synonyms: see model
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin exemplaris
obsolete : exemplary