Forms: 4–6 exemple, exsaumple, 5–6 exaumple, -awmple, (5 axampil, exsawmple, 6 exampul(l), 5–6 Sc. exaimple, exampill, -empill, 5– example. [a. OF. example, exemple, a refashioning (after Lat.) of earlier essample (see ASAUMPLE):—L. exemplum, f. exem-, eximĕre to take out: see EXEMPT. The primary sense is thus ‘something taken out, a SAMPLE, specimen.’ The main Eng. senses are derived from Lat. through Fr. In the arrangement below the presumed logical order has been adopted in preference to the order in which the senses are recorded in Eng. See also ASAUMPLE, ENSAMPLE, SAMPLE, which are ultimately the same word.]
1. A typical instance; a fact, incident, quotation, etc., that illustrates, or forms a particular case of, a general principle, rule, state of things, etc.; a person or thing that may be taken as an illustration of a certain quality. Phrases, For, by way of, example; formerly also (ellipt.) example in same sense.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys, Introd. (Roxb.), 3. And to thys manyfold of nature Exaimplys, acordyth weel scrypture.
1538. Starkey, England, I. i. 22. They see exampullys of many and dyverse, wych wythout profyt had attemptyd the same.
1548. Gest, Pr. Masse, 123. Example his reporting of the baptisme wordes over himselve … maketh nether baptisme ne absolution.
1552. Abp. Hamilton, Catech. (1884), 12. Foure familiar exempilles drawin fra the haly scripture.
1585. Jas. I., Ess. Poesie (Arb.), 61. As for exempill ȝe man not say Then feir nocht Nor heir ocht.
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., 2. Wee shall finde many the like examples.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, 52. Eight pence difference, example, There goeth four load of Sand.
1697. Dryden, Æneid, Ded. Wks. 1887, XIV. 164. Can we, for example, give the praise of valour to a man who [etc.].
1752. Hume, Ess. & Treat. (1777), I. 210. No criticism can be instructive, which descends not to particulars, and is not full of examples and illustrations.
1842. Grove, Corr. Phys. Forces (1850), 62. I might weary you with examples, showing that [etc.].
1860. Tyndall, Glac., II. viii. 265. Almost all glaciers present examples of such [glacier] tables.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 273. A round, for example, is ‘a figure’ and not simply ‘figure.’
1885. F. Temple, Relat. Relig. & Sci., iii. 69. The will is to Science the first example of power.
b. A problem framed to exemplify a rule in arithmetic, mathematics, etc.; an exercise.
1674. Playford, Skill Mus., II. 91. Practice this Example of the Notes ascending and descending.
1847. H. Goodwin (title), A Collection of Problems and Examples, adapted to the ‘Elementary Course of Mathematics.’
1888. J. Wolstenholme (title), Examples for Practice in the use of Seven-figure Logarithms.
c. A specimen (of workmanship). Also, a ‘copy’ of a book, etc. (now only with reference to rarities).
1530. Palsgr., 217/2. Example of a boke, copie.
a. 1553. Ascham, in Fleming, Panopl. Epist. (1576), 437. I have sent examples [of this Epistle] to the Kinges majestie, and the rest of that noble and gallant companie.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, I. v. 11. Whiche a man shall finde described in some examples of Dioscorides.
1875. Fortnum, Maiolica, v. 48. This Florentine porcelain is especially rare; scarcely thirty examples being known to exist.
1880. Daily News, 2 Dec., 5/3. A London bookseller lately disposed of an example [of Du Bellay’s poems] for four shillings and sixpence.
Mod. The gallery contains several examples of this master.
2. Logic. = Gr. παράδειγμα (Aristotle). The species of argument in which the major premiss of a syllogism is assumed from a particular instance.
a. 1679. Hobbes, Rhet., I. ii. (1681), 3. An Example is a short Induction, and an Enthymeme a short Syllogisme.
1774. Reid, Aristotle’s Logic, iv. § 7. Aristotle gives some observations upon imperfect syllogisms; such as … example, which is an imperfect induction.
1860. Abp. Thomson, Laws Th., 249. The Example is an argument which proves some thing to be true in a particular case from another particular case.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), IV. 505. Example comes into use when we identify something unknown with that which is known.
3. A signal instance of punishment intended to have a deterrent effect; a warning, caution; a person whose fate serves as a deterrent to others. Chiefly in phrases, † For, † in example, to make (a person, etc.) an example, an example of (a person); also, to take example.
1382. Wyclif, Jude i. 7. Sodom and Gomor … ben maad ensaumple [v.r. exsaumple], sustenynge peyne of euerlastinge fijr.
1548. Hall, Chron., 204. Caused the lord Welles … to be behedded there, to the terrible example of other, which shal put their confidence in the promise of a prince.
1568. Grafton, Chron., 1253. Hanged at Greenewiche … for robberies, in example of all other.
c. 1592. Marlowe, Massacre Paris, III. iv. (1600), D iv. All Rebels vnder heauen, shall take example by their punishment.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, V. i. 332. An arrant knaue … which I beseech your worship to correct your selfe, for the example of others.
1631. Star Chamb. Cases (Camden), 76. Brought to the barre to be punished for example sake.
1665. Manley, Grotius’ Low-C. Warrs, 389. Let these mens unhappy examples be a warning to others.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 16, ¶ 3. I … will not be provoked … to make an Example of any particular Criminal.
1793. Gouv. Morris, in Sparks, Life & Writ. (1832), II. 388. The examples are so striking and terrifying, that every individual, whatever may be his political tenets, trembles.
1803. Pic Nic, No. 4 (1806), I. 140. They must be made an example of.
1827. Pollok, Course T., X. Has he not given at times Example fierce of wrath and judgment?
4. A parallel case in the past; also in phrases, beyond, without example.
1530. Palsgr., 217/2. Example a symilitude of a thyng, exemple.
1595. Shaks., John, III. iv. 13. Such temperate order in so fierce a course, Doth want Example.
1707. Freind, Peterborow’s Cond. Sp., 50. A Discipline and Generosity without example.
1726. Butler, Serm., iv. 76. He was mild and gentle beyond Example.
1817. Parl. Deb., 205. The demand upon gunsmiths for every species of fire-arms has been beyond all former example.
1821. Shelley, Hellas, Pref. A spirit and a wisdom which has few examples.
5. A precedent appealed to, to justify or authorize any course of action. arch. or Obs.
1509–10. Act 1 Hen. VIII., c. 20 § 1. That thees grauntz be not take in example to the Kyngez of England in tyme to comme.
1581. Savile, Tacitus’ Hist., IV. x. (1591), 188. Hordeonius … beganne a very ill example, that all letters sent from abroade should be deliuered to the standerd-bearers of the Legions.
1647–8. Cotterell, Davila’s Hist. Fr. (1678), 11. Katherine of Medicis … according to many examples of former times, pleaded the right to [assume the regency].
1700. Tyrrell, Hist. Eng., II. 853. With a Saving Clause, that it should not be drawn into Example.
6. A person’s action or conduct regarded as an object of imitation; often qualified by adjs. good, bad, evil, etc. Phrases, To give, leave, set an example. Also, a person whose conduct ought to be imitated; a ‘pattern’ of excellence.
1382. Wyclif, 1 Tim. iv. 12. Be thou ensaumple [v.r. exsaumple] of feithful men in word … in feith, in chastite.
c. 1460. Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714), 10. They, by Example of Nembroth, made them Realmys.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, II. i. Gyuyng example to alle the Barons.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 3099. Neuer we … mycht Have bet axampil than iffith ws ȝone knycht.
1570. Ascham, Scholem. (Arb.), 66. This Court also neuer lacked many faire examples, for yong ientlemen to folow.
1664. Evelyn, Kal. Hort. (1729), 185. Forc’d either to Imitate, or as I do, to celebrate your Example.
1718. Rowe, trans. Lucan, I. 591/23.
| He copies from his master Sylla well, | |
| And would the dire Example far excel. |
1796. H. Hunter, trans. St. Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), III. 588. Of this our own Country ought to set the example to the Nations.
1853. Robertson, Serm., Ser. II. 241. You copy the outline of a model: you imitate the spirit of an example.
1870. Dickens, E. Drood, viii. If you will set me that example, I promise to follow it.
b. In generalized sense: Action or conduct that induces imitation; hence, ‘influence that disposes to imitation’ (J.).
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., II. xvi. (1495), C ij a/1. The angels take by yefte and yeue forth by example.
1653. Walton, Angler, 46–7. Well, you know what example is able to do.
a. 1680. Butler, Rem. (1759), I. 73.
| Example, that imperious Dictator | |
| Of all that’s good, or bad to human Nature. |
a. 1729. J. Rogers, 19 Serm., iv. (1735), 70. Example is a Motive of a very prevailing Force on the Actions of Men.
1796. Burke, Regic. Peace, i. Wks. VIII. 197. Example is the school of mankind, and they will learn at no other.
1871. Smiles, Charac., ii. (1876), 35. Example is far more than precept. It is instruction in action.
c. To take example: to learn by, or copy, the example of another. Const. † at, by, † of.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 568. A gentil Maunciple was ther of a temple, Of which achatours mighten take exemple.
1477. Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 86. He is right happy that can chastyse himself taking example by other.
1548. Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. John, 103 b. Ye shall take exaumple at me.
1587. Mirr. Mag., Porrex, ix. Example take you Princes of the land.
1611. Cotgr., Exemplairement, exemplarily; for others to follow, or to take example by.
1632. Sherwood, To take example by, patronner.
d. Of (bad) example (= L. mali exempli, Fr. de mauvais exemple). rare.
1865. M. Arnold, Ess. in Criticism, 66. Some people will say these are little things; they are not, they are of bad example.
¶ e. A pattern, design to be copied. Obs. (A mere Latinism.)
1539. Bible (Taverner), 1 Chron. xxviii. 12. Dauid gaue Salomon his son the paterne of the porch … and the example of that was in his mynde. Ibid. (1609) (Douay), Num. viii. 4. According to the example which our Lord shewed to Moyses, so wrought he the candlesticke.
¶ 7. An alleged designation for a company (of ‘masters’). Obs.–0
1486. Bk. St. Albans, F vij a. A Example of maisteris.
8. Comb., as example-giver.
1540. Coverdale, Fruitf. Less., i. (1593), R iv b. Before vs we haue an high perfect example giuer.
