Also 5 exawmplyn, 5–6 exaumple, 6 exemple. [f. prec. sb. Cf. OF. exemplier.]
1. trans. To exemplify; to furnish a model or pattern of; to find or give an example or instance of; also with sentence as obj. Obs. exc. in passive.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 144/2. Exawmplyn, exemplifico.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., 452. For to exaumple bi hise dedis to othere men the seid iiijl principal governaunce.
1556. J. Heywood, Spider & F., lxxviii. 128. My meaning … last exampled by my fleeing with flise.
1611. Chapman, Iliad, IV. 55/238. He examples this, With toyling (like the worst) on foote.
1613. Sherley, Trav. Persia, 18. To example to other how much it pleaseth God to fauour good intentions.
1655. E. Terry, Voy. E. India, 218. Keeping to their old fashions exampled to them by their predecessors.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, VI. 343. Exampling hardiest deeds, Salisbury struck down the foe.
1828. Carlyle, in Foreign Rev., II. 116. Of an interest altogether peculiar, and not in this degree exampled in recent literature.
1879. Morley, Burke, 89. Burke devoted himself to this duty with a fervid assiduity that has not often been exampled, and has never been surpassed.
b. Of things: To be an example of.
1881. Athenæum, 25 June, 840/1. Mr. Arnold quotes, as exampling Wordsworth at his highest, the single line, Will no one tell me what she sings?
† 2. To hold forth (a person) as an example. Also with out. Obs.
1625. Fletcher, Lover’s Progr., II. iii. You are the pattern of fair friendship, Exampled for your love.
1639. W. Sclater (2nd), Worthy Commun. Rew., 7. The stroke of God’s displeasure; of which Nadab and Abihu … are exampled out for our warning.
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, IV. xx. 268. Fortune had an intent to example him … for his sufferings.
† 3. To furnish an antecedent example or precedent for; to justify by precedents. Obs.
1587. (title) A Defence of the Honorable sentence and execution of the Queene of Scots: exempled with analogies.
1588. Shaks., L. L. L., I. ii. 121. That I may example my digression by some mighty president. Ibid. (1595), John, IV. iii. 57. [This shall] proue a deadly blood-shed but a iest, Exampled by this heynous spectacle.
4. † a. Of things: To serve as an example or warning to (obs.). b. Of persons: To set an example to, instruct by example. rare.
1592. Greene, Art Conny-catch., III. 25. Let the poore Cutlers mishap example others.
1631. Laud, Seven Serm. (1651), 325. And what a Kings Son may learne, when he is exampled by such a Father.
1772. J. Woolman, Jrnl., x. (1840), 147. Placing children … where they may be likely to be exampled and instructed.
1816. Coleridge, Statesm. Man. (1839), 315. Taught by God’s word, exampled by God’s providence, commanded by God’s law.
1881. W. E. Henley, in Academy, 27 Aug., 156/1. The pair settle quietly down … generally exampling their friends and neighbours.
1883. E. Balfour, in Mag. Art, Aug., 398. They … example those whom they are engaged in teaching.
† 5. intr. a. To serve as an example or warning. b. To quote an example. Obs.
1571. Henryson, Mor. Fables, 28. This suddaine death … of this false Tod … examples exhortand folke to amend.
1599. B. Jonson, Cynthia’s Rev., V. ii. I will example unto you: Your opponent makes entry as you are engaged with your mistress.
Hence Exampled ppl. a., that is made an example. Exampling ppl. a., that sets an example.
a. 1637. B. Jonson, Underwoods, Epithal., x. Search, Sun, and thou wilt find They are th’ exampled Paire, and mirrour of their kind.
1715–20. Pope, Iliad, VI. 75. A dreadful lesson of exampled fate.
1611. Chapman, Iliad, IV. 57/337. Thy braue exampling hand, Might double our young Grecian spirits.
