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Webster 1913 Edition

Example

Ex-am′ple

,
Noun.
[A later form for
ensample
, fr. L.
exemplum
, orig., what is taken out of a larger quantity, as a
sample
, from
eximere
to take out. See
Exempt
, and cf.
Ensample
,
Sample
.]
1.
One or a portion taken to show the character or quality of the whole; a sample; a specimen.
2.
That which is to be followed or imitated as a model; a pattern or copy.
For I have given you an
example
, that ye should do as I have done to you.
John xiii. 15.
I gave, thou sayest, the
example
; I led the way.
Milton.
3.
That which resembles or corresponds with something else; a precedent; a model.
Such temperate order in so fierce a cause
Doth want
example
.
Shakespeare
4.
That which is to be avoided; one selected for punishment and to serve as a warning; a warning.
Hang him; he’ll be made an
example
.
Shakespeare
Now these things were our
examples
, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
1 Cor. x. 6.
Syn. – Precedent; case; instance.
–
Example
,
Instance
. The discrimination to be made between these two words relates to cases in which we give “instances” or “examples” of things done. An instance denotes the single case then “standing” before us; if there be others like it, the word does not express this fact. On the contrary, an example is one of an entire class of like things, and should be a true representative or sample of that class. Hence, an example proves a rule or regular course of things; an instance simply points out what may be true only in the case presented. A man's life may be filled up with examples of the self-command and kindness which marked his character, and may present only a solitary instance of haste or severity. Hence, the word “example” should never be used to describe what stands singly and alone. We do, however, sometimes apply the word instance to what is really an example, because we are not thinking of the latter under this aspect, but solely as a case which “stands before us.” See
Precedent
.

Ex-am′ple

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Exampled
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Exampling
.]
To set an example for; to give a precedent for; to exemplify; to give an instance of; to instance.
[Obs.]
“I may example my digression by some mighty precedent.”
Shak.
Burke devoted himself to this duty with a fervid assiduity that has not often been
exampled
, and has never been surpassed.
J. Morley.

Webster 1828 Edition

Example

EXAM'PLE

,
Noun.
egzam'pl. [L. e xemplum.]
1.
A pattern; a copy; a mode; that which is proposed to be imitated. This word, when applied to material things, is now generally written sample, as a sample of cloth; but example is sometimes used.
2.
A pattern, in morals or manners; a copy, or model; that which is proposed or is proper to be imitated.
I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. John 13.
Example is our preceptor before we can reason.
3.
Precedent; a former instance. Buonaparte furnished many examples of successful bravery.
4.
Precedent or former instance, in a bad sense, intended for caution.
Lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. Heb.4.
Sodom and Gomorrah--are set forth for an example,suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Jude.7.
5.
A person fit to be proposed for a pattern; one whose conduct is worthy of imitation.
Be thou an example of the believers. 1 Tim 4.
6.
Precedent which disposes to imitation.
Example has more effect than precept.
7.
Instance serving for illustration of a rule or precept; or a particular case or proposition illustrating a general rule, position or truth. The principles of trigonometry and the rules of grammar are illustrated by examples.
8.
In logic, or rhetoric, the conclusion of one singular point from another; an induction of what may happen from what has happened. If civil war has produced calamities of a particular kind in one instance, it is inferred that it will produce like consequences in other cases. This is an example.

EXAM'PLE

,
Verb.
T.
To exemplify; to set an example. [Not used.

Definition 2024

example

example

English

Noun

example ‎(plural examples)

  1. Something that is representative of all such things in a group.
    • 2013 July 26, Leo Hickman, “How algorithms rule the world”, in The Guardian Weekly, volume 189, number 7, page 26:
      The use of algorithms in policing is one example of their increasing influence on our lives. And, as their ubiquity spreads, so too does the debate around whether we should allow ourselves to become so reliant on them – and who, if anyone, is policing their use.
  2. Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.
    • 2013 May-June, David Van Tassel, Lee DeHaan, “Wild Plants to the Rescue”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 3:
      Plant breeding is always a numbers game. […] The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation, […]. In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better. These rarities may be new mutations, or they can be existing ones that are neutral—or are even selected against—in a wild population. A good example is mutations that disrupt seed dispersal, leaving the seeds on the heads long after they are ripe.
  3. Something that serves as a pattern of behaviour to be imitated (a good example) or not to be imitated (a bad example).
    • Bible, John xiii, 15
      For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
    • John Milton
      I gave, thou sayest, the example; I led the way.
    • 1818, Mary Shelley, Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus, Chapter 4:
      Learn from me, if not by my precepts, then at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge, […]
    • 1898, Winston Churchill, chapter 4, in The Celebrity:
      The Celebrity, by arts unknown, induced Mrs. Judge Short and two other ladies to call at Mohair on an afternoon when Mr. Cooke was trying a trotter on the track. […] Their example was followed by others at a time when the master of Mohair was superintending in person the docking of some two-year-olds, and equally invisible.
  4. A person punished as a warning to others.
    • William Shakespeare
      Hang him; he'll be made an example.
    • Bible, 1 Corinthians x, 6
      Now these things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
  5. A parallel or closely similar case, especially when serving as a precedent or model.
  6. An instance (as a problem to be solved) serving to illustrate the rule or precept or to act as an exercise in the application of the rule.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:model
  • See also Wikisaurus:exemplar

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

See also

Verb

example ‎(third-person singular simple present examples, present participle exampling, simple past and past participle exampled)

  1. To be illustrated or exemplified (by).

Statistics

Most common English words before 1923: q · greatly · floor · #982: example · class · century · sorry

Anagrams

Etymology

From Middle English example, from Old French essample (French exemple), from Latin exemplum ‎(“a sample, pattern, specimen, copy for imitation, etc.”, literally “what is taken out (as a sample)”), from eximō ‎(“take out”), from ex ‎(“out”) + emō ‎(“buy; acquire”); see exempt. Compare ensample, sample, exemplar. Displaced native Middle English bisne, forbus, forbusen ‎(“example, model, template, exemplar”) (from Old English bīsen, forebīsen, forebȳsen ‎(“example, model, template, exemplar”)) and Middle English byspel ‎(“example, proverb”) (from Old English bīspel).

Pronunciation

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