example
noun
- a thing which acts as a typical representative of a set of things
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pəl/ / /ɪɡˈzam.pəl/ / /ɪɡˈzæm.pəl/
noun
Etymology: From Middle English example, exaumple, from Old French example, essaumple, from Latin exemplum (“sample, pattern, specimen, copy for imitation, etc.”, literally “what is taken out”); see exempt. Doublet of exemplum and sample. Displaced native Middle English forebisne, from Old English forebȳsn; and Middle English bisne, from Old English bȳsn (modern English bizen).
- Something that is representative of all such things in a group.
“If Demandt's essay served as a strident example of the German desire for normalcy, a more subtle example was provided by a brief allohistorical depiction of a Nazi victory in World War II written by German historian Michael Salewski in 1999.”
“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.”
- Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.
“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.”
- Something that serves as a pattern of behaviour to be imitated (a good example) or not to be imitated (a bad example).
“Nelson Mandela was an example for many to follow.”
“For I haue giuen you an example, that yee ſhould doe, as I haue done to you.”
- A person punished as a warning to others.
“[…]hang him, hee'le be made an example.”
“Now theſe things were our examples, to the intent wee ſhould not luſt after euil things, as they alſo luſted.”
- A parallel or closely similar case, especially when serving as a precedent or model.
“Such temperate order in ſo fierce a cauſe, / Doth want example:[…]”
- 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.
verb
Etymology: From Middle English example, exaumple, from Old French example, essaumple, from Latin exemplum (“sample, pattern, specimen, copy for imitation, etc.”, literally “what is taken out”); see exempt. Doublet of exemplum and sample. Displaced native Middle English forebisne, from Old English forebȳsn; and Middle English bisne, from Old English bȳsn (modern English bizen).
- To be illustrated or exemplified (by).