/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 example exemplum, akin to eximere to take out ( ex- EX- 1 + emere to buy, orig. take); r. ME exemple ]
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 case 1 .