| 释义 |
▪ I. example, n.|ɛgˈzɑːmp(ə)l, -æ-|
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 example, by way of, example; formerly also (ellipt.) example in same sense.
1447O. Bokenham Seyntys Introd. (Roxb.) 3 And to thys manyfold of nature Exaimplys, acordyth weel scrypture. 1538Starkey England i. i. 22 They see exampullys of many and dyverse, wych wythout profyt had attemptyd the same. 1548Gest Pr. Masse 123 Example his reporting of the baptisme wordes over himselve..maketh nether baptisme ne absolution. 1552Abp. Hamilton Catech. (1884) 12 Foure familiar exempilles drawin fra the haly scripture. 1585Jas. I. Ess. Poesie (Arb.) 61 As for exempill ȝe man not say Then feir nocht Nor heir ocht. 1611Bible Transl. Pref. 2 Wee shall finde many the like examples. 1663Gerbier Counsel 52 Eight pence difference, example, There goeth four load of Sand. 1697Dryden æneid Ded. Wks. 1887 XIV. 164 Can we, for example, give the praise of valour to a man who [etc.]. 1752Hume Ess. & Treat. (1777) I. 210 No criticism can be instructive which..is not full of examples and illustrations. 1842W. Grove Corr. Phys. Forces 62, I might weary you with examples, showing that, etc. 1860Tyndall Glac. ii. viii. 265 Almost all glaciers present examples of such [glacier] tables. 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) I. 273 A round, for example, is ‘a figure’ and not simply ‘figure’. 1885F. Temple Relat. Relig. & Sc. 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.
1674Playford Skill Mus. ii. 96 Practice to play this Example of the Notes ascending and descending. 1847Goodwin (title), A Collection of Problems and Examples adapted to the Elementary Course of Mathematics. 1888Wolstenholme (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).
1530Palsgr. 217/2 Example of a boke, copie. a1553R. 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. 1578Lyte Dodoens i. v. 11 Whiche a man shall finde described in some examples of Dioscorides. 1875Fortnum Majolica v. 48 This Florentine porcelain is especially rare; scarcely thirty examples being known to exist. 1880Daily News 2 Dec. 5/3 A London bookseller lately disposed of an example 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.
a1679Hobbes Rhet. i. ii. (1681) 3 An Example is a short Induction, and an Enthymeme a short Syllogisme. 1774Reid Aristotle's Logic iv. §7 Aristotle gives some observations upon imperfect syllogisms; such as..example, which is an imperfect induction. 1860Abp. Thomson Laws Th. 249 The Example is an argument which proves some thing to be true in a particular case from another particular case. 1875Jowett 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.
1382Wyclif Jude i. 7 Sodom and Gomor..ben maad ensaumple [v.r. exsaumple], sustenynge peyne of euerlastinge fijr. 1548Hall 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. 1568Grafton Chron. 1253 Hanged at Greenewiche..for robberies, in example of all other. c1592Marlowe Massac. Paris iii. iv, All rebels under Heaven Shall take example by his punishment. 1599Shakes. Much Ado v. i. 332 An arrant knaue..which I beseech your worship to correct your selfe, for the example of others. 1631Star Chamb. Cases (Camden) 76 Brought to the barre to be punished for example sake. 1665Manley Grotius' Low C. Warres 389 Let these mens unhappy examples be a warning to others. 1711Addison Spect. 16 ⁋3, I..will not be provoked.. to make an Example of any particular Criminal. 1793Gouv. Morris in Sparks Life & Writ. (1832) II. 388 The examples are so striking and terrifying that every individual trembles. 1803Pic Nic No. 4 (1806) I. 140 They must be made an example of. 1827Pollok 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 example, without example.
1530Palsgr. 217/2 Example a symilitude of a thyng, exemple. 1595Shakes. John iii. iv. 13 Such temperate order in so fierce a course, Doth want Example. 1707Freind Peterborow's Cond. Sp. 50 A Discipline and Generosity without example. 1726Butler Serm. iv. 76 He was mild and gentle beyond Example. 1817Parl. Deb. 205 The demand upon gunsmiths for every species of fire-arms has been beyond all former example. 1821Shelley 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.
1509–10Act. 1 Hen. VIII, c. 20 §1 That thees grauntz be not take in example to the Kyngez of England in tyme to comme. 1581Savile Tacitus' Hist. iv. x. (1591) 188 Hordeonius..beganne a very ill example, that all letters sent from abroade should be deliuered to the standerdbearers of the Legions. 1647–8Sir C. Cotterell Davila's Hist. Fr. (1678) 11 Katherine of Medicis..according to many Examples of former times, pleaded the right..to assume..the regency. 1700Tyrrell 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.
1382Wyclif 1 Tim. iv. 12 Be thou ensaumple [v.r. exsaumple] of feithful men in word..in feith, in chastite. c1460Fortescue Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714) 10 They, by Example of Nembroth, made them Realmys. 1470–85Malory Arthur ii. i, Gyuyng example to alle the Barons. c1500Lancelot 3099 Neuer we..mycht Have bet axampil than iffith ws ȝone knycht. 1570R. Ascham Scholem. (Arb.) 66 This Court also neuer lacked many faire examples, for yong ientlemen to folow. 1664Evelyn Kal. Hort. (1729) 185 Forc'd either to Imitate, or as I do, to celebrate your Example. 1718Rowe tr. Lucan 1, He copies from his master Sylla well, And would the dire example far excell. 1796H. Hunter St. Pierre's Stud. Nat. (1799) III. 588 Of this our own Country ought to set the example to the Nations. 1853Robertson Serm. Ser. ii. 241 You copy the outline of a model: you imitate the spirit of an example. 1870Dickens 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.).
1398Trevisa Barth. De P.R. ii. xvi. (1495) C ij a/1 The angels take by yefte and yeue forth by example. 1653Walton Angler 47 Well, you know what example is able to do. a1680Butler Rem. (1759) I. 73 Example, that imperious Dictator Of all that's good, or bad to human Nature. a1729J. Rogers 19 Serm. iv. (1735) 70 Example is a Motive of a very prevailing Force on the Actions of Men. 1796Burke Regic. Peace i. Wks. VIII. 196 Example is the school of mankind. 1871Smiles 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.
c1386Chaucer Prol. 568 A gentil Maunciple was ther of a temple, Of which achatours mighten take exemple. 1477Earl Rivers (Caxton) Dictes 86 He is right happy that can chastyse himself taking example by other. 1548Udall, etc. Erasm. Par. John 103 b, Ye shall take exaumple at me. 1587Mirr. Mag., Porrex ix, Example take you Princes of the land. 1611Cotgr., Exemplairement, exemplarily; for others to follow, or to take example by. 1632Sherwood, To take example by, patronner.
d. of (bad) example (= L. mali exempli, Fr. de mauvais exemple). rare.
1865M. 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.)
1539Bible (Taverner) 1 Chron. xxviii. 12 Dauid gaue Salomon his son the paterne of the porch..and the example of that was in his mynde. 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
1486Bk. St. Albans F vij a, A Example of maisteris.
8. Comb., as example-giver.
1540Coverdale Fruitf. Less. i. (1593) R iv b, Before vs we haue an high perfect example giuer.
▪ II. example, v.|ɛgˈzɑːmp(ə)l, -æ-|
Also 5 exawmplyn, 5–6 exaumple, 6 exemple.
[f. prec. n. 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 pass.
c1440Promp. Parv. 144/2 Exawmplyn, exemplifico. c1449Pecock Repr. 452 For to exaumple bi hise dedis to othere men the seid iiij principal governaunce. 1556J. Heywood Spider & F. lxxviii. 128 My meaning..last exampled by my fleeing with flise. 1598Chapman Iliad iv. 238 He examples this With toiling, like the worst, on foot. 1613Sherley Trav. Persia 18 To example to other how much it pleaseth God to fauour good intentions. 1655E. Terry Voy. E. India 218 Keeping to their old fashions exampled to them by their predecessors. 1795Southey Joan of Arc vi. 343 Exampling hardiest deeds, Salisbury struck down the foe. 1828Carlyle in Foreign Rev. II. 116 Of an interest altogether peculiar, and not in this degree exampled in recent literature. 1879Morley 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.
1881Athenæum 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.
1625Fletcher Lover's Progr. ii. iii, You are the pattern of fair friendship, Exampled for your love. 1639W. Sclater (Jun.) Worthy Communicant 7 The stroke of God's displeasure; of which Nadab and Abihu..are exampled out for our warning. 1654Gayton 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. 1588Shakes. L.L.L. i. ii. 121 That I may example my digression by some mighty president. 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.
1592Greene Art Conny-catch. iii. 25 Let the poore Cutlers mishap example others. 1631Laud Seven Serm. (1651) 325 And what a Kings Son may learne, when he is exampled by such a Father. 1772J. Woolman Jrnl. x. (1840) 147 Placing children..where they may be likely to be exampled and instructed. 1816Coleridge Statesm. Man. (1839) 315 Taught by God's word, exampled by God's providence, commanded by God's law. 1881W. E. Henley in Academy 27 Aug. 156/1 The pair settle quietly down..generally exampling their friends and neighbours. 1883E. 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.
1571Henryson Mor. Fables 28 This suddaine death..of this false Tod..examples exhortand folke to amend. 1599B. Jonson Cynthia's Rev. v. ii, I will example unto you: Your opponent makes entry as you are engaged with your mistress.
Hence eˈxampled ppl. a., that is made an example. eˈxampling ppl. a., that sets an example.
a1637B. Jonson Underwoods, Epithal. x, Search, Sun, and thou wilt find They are th' exampled Paire, and mirrour of their kind. 1715–20Pope Iliad vi. 75 A dreadful lesson of exampled fate. c1611Chapman Iliad iv. 337 Thy brave exampling hand Might double our young Grecian spirits. |