exemplum

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [ɛkˈsɛm.pɫũː]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [eɡˈzɛm.plum]^[1]

Forms

exemplum n (genitive exemplī); second declension^[1]

Etymology

It is from eximō “to take out”, as if *ex-em-lom, “something taken out” as a sample.^[2][3][1] The ⟨p⟩ arose between ⟨m⟩ and ⟨l⟩, as perhaps in amplus.^[1] Leumann thinks the voiceless ⟨p⟩ unusual and suggests the influence of the participle ⟨exēmptus⟩.^[1] The verb eximō is from Latin ex- + emō (“to take, buy”), and emō is inherited from Proto-Italic *eme/o- (“to take”), inherited from Proto-Indo-European *h₁em-e/o- (“to take”).^[4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Plautus uses it of a warning example: “I'll make an example of you”.^[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

Its basic sense was a sample or specimen, as of grain.^[2][3] From this it meant a typical example or instance (exemplī causā “for example”), a warning example or deterrent, a parallel, a precedent, and a pattern for imitation or model.^[2] It also meant a copy or transcript, as of a letter, a portrait or image, and in phrases a manner or style.^[6][2]

In medieval Latin it was a parable, fable or proverb, and a picture.^[7] It survives in Italian esempio and Spanish ejemplo.^[1] Old French essemple gave English example (re-Latinised in the late 14th century) and, shortened, English sample about 1300.^[8]

Timeline

• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of a warning example and of a pattern.^[2][5]
• 190–159 BC – Terence asks that a precedent be set in him.^[2][5]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a copy of a letter.^[6][5]
• c. 1300 – English sample is recorded, from Old French essample.^[8]

Meanings

Noun

1. A sample, specimen.^[2]
2. An example, instance, exemplī causā, for example.^[2]
3. A warning example, deterrent.^[2]
4. A parallel; a precedent.^[2]
5. A pattern, model for imitation.^[2]
6. A copy, transcript.^[6][1]
7. (Medieval Latin) A parable, fable; a picture.^[7]

Word family

• exemplāris
• exemplārium
• exemplatus
• exemplō
• exemplar

Related words

• eximō
• emō
• English example
• English sample
• English exemplary

References

1. ^ a b c d e f g h Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
4. ^ de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ a b c Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
7. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
8. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com