Adjacent Words

Example definitions

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Webster's 1828 Dictionary

EXAM'PLE, n. 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. Hebrews 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 Timothy 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, v.t. To exemplify; to set an example. [Not used.

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: an item of information that is typical of a class or group; "this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"; "there is an example on page 10" [syn: example, illustration, instance, representative]
2: a representative form or pattern; "I profited from his example" [syn: model, example]
3: something to be imitated; "an exemplar of success"; "a model of clarity"; "he is the very model of a modern major general" [syn: exemplar, example, model, good example]
4: punishment intended as a warning to others; "they decided to make an example of him" [syn: example, deterrent example, lesson, object lesson]
5: an occurrence of something; "it was a case of bad judgment"; "another instance occurred yesterday"; "but there is always the famous example of the Smiths" [syn: case, instance, example]
6: a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding; "you must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook" [syn: exercise, example]

Merriam Webster's

I. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French essample, example, from Latin exemplum, from eximere to take out, from ex- + emere to take — more at redeem Date: 14th century 1. one that serves as a pattern to be imitated or not to be imitated <a good example> <a bad example> 2. a punishment inflicted on someone as a warning to others; also an individual so punished 3. one (as an item or incident) that is representative of all of a group or type 4. a parallel or closely similar case especially when serving as a precedent or model 5. an instance (as a problem to be solved) serving to illustrate a rule or precept or to act as an exercise in the application of a rule Synonyms: see instance, model II. transitive verb (exampled; exampling) Date: 15th century 1. to serve as an example of 2. archaic to be or set an example to

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. & v. --n. 1 a thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule. 2 a person, thing, or piece of conduct, regarded in terms of its fitness to be imitated (must set him an example; you are a bad example). 3 a circumstance or treatment seen as a warning to others; a person so treated (shall make an example of you). 4 a problem or exercise designed to illustrate a rule. --v.tr. (usu. in passive) serve as an example of. Phrases and idioms: for example by way of illustration. Etymology: ME f. OF f. L exemplum (as EXEMPT)

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Example Ex*am"ple, n. [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 ? 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. --Shak. 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. --Shak. 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. 5. An instance serving for illustration of a rule or precept, especially a problem to be solved, or a case to be determined, as an exercise in the application of the rules of any study or branch of science; as, in trigonometry and grammar, the principles and rules are illustrated by examples. Syn: Precedent; case; instance. Usage: 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.

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Example Ex*am"ple, v. 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.

Collin's Cobuild Dictionary

(examples) Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English. 1. An example of something is a particular situation, object, or person which shows that what is being claimed is true. The doctors gave numerous examples of patients being expelled from hospital... Listed below are just a few examples of some of the family benefits available. N-COUNT: oft N of n 2. An example of a particular class of objects or styles is something that has many of the typical features of such a class or style, and that you consider clearly represents it. Symphonies 103 and 104 stand as perfect examples of early symphonic construction... = illustration N-COUNT: oft N of n 3. You use for example to introduce and emphasize something which shows that something is true. Take, for example, the simple sentence: 'The man climbed up the hill'... A few simple precautions can be taken, for example ensuring that desks are the right height. PHRASE: PHR with cl/group 4. If you refer to a person or their behaviour as an example to other people, you mean that he or she behaves in a good or correct way that other people should copy. He is a model professional and an example to the younger lads... N-COUNT: oft N to n [approval] 5. In a dictionary entry, an example is a phrase or sentence which shows how a particular word is used. The examples are unique to this dictionary. N-COUNT 6. If you follow someone's example, you behave in the same way as they did in the past, or in a similar way, especially because you admire them. Following the example set by her father, she has fulfilled her role and done her duty... PHRASE: V inflects 7. To make an example of someone who has done something wrong means to punish them severely as a warning to other people not to do the same thing. Let us at least see our courts make an example of these despicable criminals. PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n 8. If you set an example, you encourage or inspire people by your behaviour to behave or act in a similar way. An officer's job was to set an example... PHRASE: V inflects

Easton's Bible Dictionary

of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

eg-zam'-p'-l (tupos, "a pattern," hupodeigma, "copy" "representation" hupogrammos, "a writing-copy," example):

A typical, representative, or illustrative case; a pattern or model for imitation (hupodeigma, Joh 13:15; Heb 8:5 the King James Version; Jas 5:10; hupogrammos, 1Pe 2:21; tupos, 1Ti 4:12 the King James Version) or warning (deigma, "a sample," "exhibition," Jude 1:7; compare 2Pe 2:6; hupodeigma, Heb 4:11; tupos, 1Co 10:6,11 ). "Ensample" (tupos, /APC 2Macc 6:28,31; Php 3:17; 1Th 1:7; 2Th 3:9; 1Ti 4:12; 1Pe 5:3) and "example" have the same meaning, but the former is always suggestive of goodness.

Soule's Dictionary of English Synonyms

n. 1. Pattern, copy, model, archetype, prototype. 2. Precedent. 3. Instance, illustration, exemplification, case in point.

Moby Thesaurus

admonishment, admonition, alarm, archetype, as an example, benchmark, call to mind, case, case in point, caution, caveat, citation, cite, cite a particular, criterion, cross reference, cross section, demonstrate, demonstration, deterrent example, document, emblem, embodiment, exemplar, exempli gratia, exemplification, exemplify, explanation, exponent, final notice, final warning, for example, for instance, give a for-instance, hint, illustrate, illustration, instance, item, itemize, lesson, little bite, little smack, model, monition, moral, name, norm, notice, notification, object lesson, particular, particularize, pattern, prototype, quotation, quote, reference, relevant instance, representation, representative, sample, specimen, standard, symbol, taste, taster, threat, tip-off, to illustrate, type, typical example, typification, ultimatum, verbum sapienti, warning, warning piece