example English · revision 2513

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=before 1250 (asaumple, Ancrene Riwle)|origins=ine-pro *em-}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ɪɡˈzɑːm.pᵊl/, US /ɪɡˈzæm.pᵊl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|exaumple]] (earlier [[m|enm|asaumple]]), [[bor|fro|example]], a form of [[m|fro|essample]] reshaped after Latin,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(SOED 2002)^(MWU 2024) from [[la|exemplum|t=a sample, specimen; a pattern, model, precedent]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) literally “that which is taken out”, from [[m|la|eximere|t=to take out, remove]], from [[m|la|ex-|t=out]] and [[m|la|emere|t=to buy, originally to take]],^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) from [[ine-pro|*em-|t=to take, distribute]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) It is related to [[sample]], [[ensample]], [[exemplar]], [[exemplify]] and [[exempt]].^(SOED 2002)^(Klein 1966)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The earlier form ''asaumple'' is found before 1250, in a version of the ''Ancrene Riwle'',^(Barnhart 1988) and ''exsaumple'' before 1382, in the Wycliffe Bible.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ By the late 14th century an ''example'' was a typical instance, a model of good or bad conduct to imitate or avoid, and a punishment given as a warning.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) An individual case is recorded from 1444,^(HTOED) and an exercise or problem used in teaching from 1562.^(HTOED) The verb, “to set a precedent for”, was used from the 15th to the late 16th century.^(SOED 2002)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1250 – ''asaumple'' (''Ancrene Riwle'').^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1382 – ''exsaumple'' (Wycliffe Bible).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * late 14th century – a model; a warning.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1444 – an individual case.^(HTOED)

+ * 1562 – an exercise.^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # One that is typical of a group as a whole; an [[instance]].^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # A pattern or model, as of conduct, to be copied or avoided.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A case that serves as a model or [[precedent]].^(AHD)

+ # A punishment given as a warning, or the one punished: ''make an example of''.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A problem or exercise used to illustrate a principle or method.^(AHD)^(HTOED)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[counterexample]]

+ * [[exemplary]]

+ * [[exemplification]]

+ * [[exemplify]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[sample]]

+ * [[ensample]]

+ * [[exemplar]]

+ * [[exempt]]

+ * [[redeem]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary distinguishes ''example'' from ''instance'', ''case'', ''illustration'', ''sample'' and ''specimen'': an example typically represents the whole of which it is part.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}