examplen.
/ᵻɡˈzɑːmpl/, /ᵻɡˈzampl/, /ɛɡˈzɑːmpl/, /ɛɡˈzampl/, U.S. /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/, /ɛɡˈzæmpəl/ 1.
a. A person's conduct, practice, etc., regarded as an object of imitation or as an influence on the behaviour of others; the model afforded or set by this. Often with modifying adjective, as good, bad, etc., or with possessive.See also to set an example at Phrases 6a.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > a pattern or model of conduct
bysenc950
ensample1297
mirrora1300
ensamplerc1374
examplea1382
foregoer1382
exemplara1393
essamplerie1393
forbyseninga1400
patternc1425
spectaclec1430
precedent1535
spectable1535
foregoinga1586
modela1586
copya1616
leading card1635
patron saint1803
fugleman1814
fore-mark1863
parable1894
the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > prototype > [noun] > model, pattern, or example > action or conduct serving as
examplea1382
exemplara1393
samplea1400
exemplarya1425
moulda1547
modelling1959
a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Esther i. 18 Bi this exsaumple [L. hoc exemplo] alle the wiues..shuln dispise the hestis of ther husbondis.
a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 2175 (MED) Oure louely Lord..Ȝaf example to charyte.
1485 Malory's Morte Darthur (Caxton) ii. i. sig. cvv I will begynne to drawe at your swerd in gyuyng example to alle the Barons.
a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara Golden Bk. M. Aurelius (1537) f. 11v Their fewe wordes and good werkes haue left vs example of great admyration [Fr. exemples d'admiration].
1557 R. Edgeworth Serm. very Fruitfull f. lxxiiiv Vsing iustice and vertue, that so we may giue light of good example to all others, that they may glorifie and laude God in vs.
a1629 T. Wilson tr. J. de Montemayor Diana in Revue Hispanique (1920) 50 373 It giues ill example, & may induce other yong men, that are otherwise addicted to vertuous learning, to spend their tyme as ydlie as I did.
1666 J. Evelyn Kalendarium Hortense (ed. 2) sig. A3v Forc'd either to imitate, or, as I do, to celebrate your Example.
1719 N. Rowe tr. Lucan Pharsalia i. 23 He copies from his Master Sylla well, And wou'd the dire Example far excel.
1824 Port Folio July 20 The steady career of our federal constitution,..animates other nations to follow its example.
1846 S. F. Cooper Elinor Wyllys I. xiv. 134 We shall follow the example of the good people of Longbridge, its party-going inhabitants, at least.
1920 Catech. Lessons on Vocation (Brothers of Christian Schools) x. 199 Scandal and bad example lead others into sin... On the other hand, good example leads many souls to heaven.
1950 A. R. Kelly Eleanor of Aquitaine & Four Kings xi. 115 He..procured the crownlet, and..gave example to that august convocation by first offering his own homage to the little prince.
2013 Ireland's Own 12 Apr. 16/2 The priest, kneeling beside it, kissed the image and then members of the congregation..creep on hands and knees along the aisles to follow his example.
b. More generally: action or behaviour, esp. that considered commendable or worthy of imitation, which may influence or inspire others to act in the same way. Frequently in to lead (also encourage, teach, etc.) by example, to learn by (also from) example.See also example is better than precept at Phrases 5.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > a pattern or model of conduct > action or conduct that induces imitation
examplea1398
role modelling1959
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ii. xvi. 80 Hy [sc. the angels] fongiþ by ȝifte, and ȝeueþ forþ by example.
1586 A. Day Eng. Secretorie i. sig. D3 I haue vndertaken to conduct the learner by example, howe to behaue himselfe.
1653 I. Walton Compl. Angler 47 Well, you know what example is able to do. View more context for this quotation
a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) I. 73 Example, that imperious Dictator Of all that's good, or bad to human Nature.
a1751 Visct. Bolingbroke Lett. Study Hist. (1777) ii. 25 History is Philosophy teaching by example.
1796 E. Burke Two Lett. Peace Regicide Directory France i. 125 Example is the school of mankind.
1836 C. M. Sedgwick Poor Rich Man & Rich Poor Man xii. 117 You say..that it is women's work to teach manners to the children; but, don't you think they learn them mostly from example?
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 610 He had been seen on foot, pike in hand, encouraging his infantry by voice and by example.
1939 R. G. Collingwood Autobiogr. xi. 143 ‘Folk-memory’..the transmission by example and precept of certain ways of thinking and acting from generation to generation.
1989 Byte Aug. 242 (advt.) NeuroShell learns by example..and doesn't try to capture knowledge in rules.
2002 Times (Nexis) 20 Nov. (Sport section) 40 The younger England players will be looking to senior figures..to lead by example.
c. A person whose conduct is regarded as an object of imitation or an influence on the behaviour of others; esp. a person considered worthy of imitation; a paragon of a particular quality or virtue.
ΚΠ
a1400 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (N.Y. Publ. Lib.) (1850) 1 Tim. iv. 12 Exsaumple [Douce 369(2) be thou ensaumple of feithful men in word..in feith, in chastite; L. exemplum].
?a1475 (?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I. 211 Was noo cite moore holy neiþer more ryche in goode exemples.
1556 J. Ponet Shorte Treat. Politike Power sig. Fvv So should he be an example to them of good lyuing and vertue, in obseruing the lawe.
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) i. f. 20v This Court also neuer lacked many faire examples, for yong ientlemen to folow.
1602 T. Lodge tr. Josephus Wks. vi. xv. 156 This is the praise of our Saul, who is an example to all true louers of glory.
1665 in tr. J. Crell Two Bks. touching One God the Father Index sig. Uu/1 He [sc. Christ] is an example to us, both of holiness and felicity.
1709 R. Steele et al. Tatler No. 45, in Lucubrations Isaac Bickerstaff (1710) I. 2/2 The ingenuous sort of men with whom he converses, have so just a regard for him, that he rather is an example, than a check, to their behaviour.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian III. iv. 116 This lady was a shining example to governesses of religious houses.
1833 ‘M. Doyle’ Hints Addressed to Small Holders & Peasantry of Ireland (new ed.) vii. 49 If a parent uses indecent or profane words, and is a bad example in other respects, what can be expected from his children?
1876 A. Phelps Educator i. xiii. 140 All its [sc. a home school] officers and teachers should be examples of sincerity, faithfulness and gentleness.
1922 America 13 May 95/1 She was an example of glad hopefulness and patient effort.
1973 L. E. Keyes Dust thou Art viii. 34 She was an example for us to aspire toward.
2016 S. Wales Argus (Nexis) 11 Apr. He has a heart of gold. And he is an example to us all.
d. An illustrative or instructive narrative, esp. one drawn from Scripture, history, or the classics; a parable or fable. Cf. exemplum n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > parable, allegory, or apologue > [noun]
byspelc950
by-talea1300
forbyseninga1300
fable1340
parablec1384
similitudea1425
examplec1425
allegoryc1450
problema1500
apologuea1555
byworda1557
mythology1603
Aesopism1845
exemplum1883
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) iii. l. 4365 (MED) And be exaumple, also, þouȝ he [sc. Guido] shewe Þat som oon whilom was a shrewe.
c1475 Erthe upon Erthe (Brogyntyn) (1911) 25 (MED) In þe gospel wryttyne exampul I fynde: The pore went to heyuyn, þe rych to hel I fynde.
a1500 (?c1440) J. Lydgate Horse, Goose & Sheep (Lansd.) l. 586 in Minor Poems (1934) ii. 563 (MED) Poetis of old fablis have contryvid, Of Sheep, of Hors, of Gees..Bi exanplis of resoun to be mevid.
1518 H. Watson tr. Hystorye Olyuer of Castylle sig. Aa.ii Hystoryes and examples worthy of commemoracyon ben reduced by wrytynge..to the instruccyon and saluacyon of the soule of euery good crysten man.
1604 T. Bilson Suruey Christs Sufferings 439 Our Sauiour by this example teacheth the same: Verily, Verily I say vnto you [etc.]
1712 Spectator No. 292. 419/2 I will illustrate it a little by an Example drawn from private Life... It is a Letter of Pliny's.
1829 Ess. & Diss. Biblical Lit. 243 From this example [sc. the parable of the Samaritan] we learn that it is our duty to afford assistance to any man who may absolutely need it.
1889 H. Eikerling Luther & his Cent. i. 7/1 Sketches for sermons, concordances, and collections of examples for preachers.
1976 J. D. Crossan Raid on Articulate iii. ii. 112 Borges..is clearly a parabler and not a teller of examples, moralities, or fables.
2002 J. P. Webster Teaching through Culture vi. 126 You may remember a teaching example told to you by a family member or friend.
2. † b. gen. A prototype on which something is modelled or based; a pattern according to which something is made; = exemplar n. 1a. Obsolete.
a. In Platonic philosophy: an abstract or eternally existing pattern or archetype of any kind of thing, in relation to which particular things are conceived as imperfect copies or approximations; = idea n. 1a. Also: (Theology) the archetypal conception in the mind of God of a feature of or phenomenon in the universe; = exemplar n. 1b(a). Now historical and rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > ancient Greek philosophy > post-Socratic philosophy > [noun] > Platonism > specific features
examplea1398
ideaa1398
irascible affection1398
idee1542
spicec1555
irascible1594
mundane spirit1642
evocation1646
anamnesis1656
mundane soul1665
species1678
theocrasy1842
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. iii. iv. 93 Pictogoras clepiþ þe soule armonye, acord of melody. And Paphinonius clepith it ydea, a maner example.
?c1475 Catholicon Anglicum (BL Add. 15562) f. 43 An Exaumpyll, exemplar..idea.
1533 tr. Erasmus Enchiridion Militis Christiani vij. sig. E.viv The spiryt..in which also our most blessed maker after the original paterne & example of his owne mynde hath grauen the eternal lawe of honestie.
1613 T. Lodge tr. Seneca Epist. lxv, in tr. Seneca Wks. (1614) 271 As Plato sayth..the order which we see in this world, the pattern and example is that whereon God hath formed the greatnes of this faire worke.
1651 J. F. tr. H. C. Agrippa Three Bks. Occult Philos. i. viii. 20 It is the unanimous consent of all Platonists, that as in the originall, and exemplary World, all things are in all..; so also the Elements are not only in these inferiour bodies, but also..in God, the maker, and orginall example of all things.
1829 E. Burton Inq. Heresies Apostolic Age iii. 62 Plato supposed these images to possess a real existence, and gave to them the name of Form, Example, Archetype, or Idea.
2008 B. R. Warnick Imitation & Educ. 33 This is related to Plato's theory of Forms: Examples are the transcendental archetypes that shape and give meaning to the earthly particulars that drive them.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > prototype > [noun]
pattern1324
exemplara1382
examplec1425
mould1549
prototype1552
last1573
prototypon1586
precedent1597
archetype1605
protoplast1612
idea1648
protype1656
progenitor1790
roughout1913
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 765 (MED) And by example of þis flode [sc. the river Xanthus at Troy] þer was Made Tibre at Rome.
c1475 tr. A. Chartier Quadrilogue (Univ. Coll. Oxf.) (1974) 243 (MED) Of the maisters comyth the patroon and exaumples wherevpon thaire helpers and prentices most werke.
1537 Bible (Matthew's) 1 Chron. xxviii. C Dauid gaue Salomon his sonne the paterne of the porche..and the example of all that was in his mynde.
1609 Bible (Douay) I. Num. viii. 4 According to the example [L. exemplum] which our Lord shewed to Moyses, so wrought he the candlesticke.
1638 F. Junius Painting of Ancients ii. 19 He that maketh any thing after the example of things generated, shall never, as long namely as he doth fix his eyes upon them, attaine to what is perfectly beautifull.
1698 tr. J. Bilberg Voy. Late King of Sweden 26 Here it came into our Heads to admire the great Constancy of these Portable Clocks, made after that Example.
3.
a. A case or instance cited or supplied as evidence or in illustration of an assertion, general rule, etc.; a case in point.In early use sometimes used independently to introduce an instance of something (see e.g. quots. a1398, 1548, 1663); cf. for example at Phrases 3.Sometimes overlapping with sense 3b.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [noun] > exemplifying some rule, activity, quality, etc.
asaumplea1250
evidencec1391
piecea1393
examplea1398
samplera1400
exemplarc1475
paradigm1483
instant1560
precedenta1575
exemplification1582
exemplary1583
instance1592
instancy1613
copy1641
specimen1659
patron saint1803
for instance1959
a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus Rerum (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. ii. v. 66 Exemple: þey [sc. aungels] beþ ilikned to wyndes.
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) v. l. 3565 In þis boke exaumple ȝe shal fynde..How al passeth & halt here no soiour.
1548 E. Gest Treat. againste Masse sig. Iiv Example, his reporting of the baptisme wordes over himselve..maketh nether baptisme ne absolution.
1552 Abp. J. Hamilton Catech. Tabil sig. *.iiiv Foure familiar exempillis drawin fra ye haly scripture.
1611 M. Smith in Bible (King James) Transl. to Rdr. sig. A4 If wee will descend to later times, wee shall finde many the like examples of such kind, or rather vnkind acceptance.
1663 B. Gerbier Counsel to Builders 52 Eight pence difference, example, There goeth four load of Sand.
1742 D. Hume Ess. Moral & Polit. II. xi. 198 No criticism can be very instructive, which..is not full of Examples and Illustrations.
1835 Lancet 14 Feb. 700 Here is another example of a disease of the heart which we were fortunate enough to diagnose at an early period.
1919 Med. Sci. Abstr. & Rev. 1 358 In radio-biology, when we wish to show the selective action of X-rays we usually choose, as an example, one of the glands of external secretion.
1990 Times Educ. Suppl. 12 Oct. 6/3 The tape message will explain safe practice rather than urge abstinence. Ecstasy, by way of example, might not be as joyful as it sounds.
2003 S. Brown Free Gift Inside! 58 Let me give you an example.
b. A person who or thing which is typical or characteristic of a category, class, etc.; an illustration or specimen of a quality or thing; a typical instance. Later also: an embodiment or personification of a quality or type.In contexts of qualities or personal traits, esp. positive ones, often difficult to distinguish from sense 1c.
ΚΠ
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 166 (MED) Exemple [?c1425 Paris emsample] of mundifying & of depuryng is had in herbez & rotez.
c1440 S. Scrope tr. C. de Pisan Epist. of Othea (St. John's Cambr.) (1970) 4 (MED) Exemplys temporell of policie gouernaunce and worldlye wysdoms and dedys.
a1538 T. Starkey Dial. Pole & Lupset (1989) 15 They see exampullys of many & dyverse, wych wythout profyt had attemptyd the same.
1653 J. Bulwer Anthropometamorphosis (rev. ed.) 497 Examples enow in all ages there have been of such Dwarfishnesse of stature.
1762 G. Barnes in tr. Cicero Compl. Orator Notes Bk. iii. 490 A style, he says, may be sweet without any grandeur, and may be grand without any sweetness. Thucydides is an example of the latter, and Xenophon of the former.
1831 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal I. 275 Of the elastic steel, a saw-blade may be considered an example.
1860 J. Tyndall Glaciers of Alps ii. viii. 265 Almost all glaciers present examples of such [glacier] tables.
1966 H. Nemerov in Harvard Advocate Fall 20/1 The bison, Except for a few examples kept in cages, Is now extinct.
1975 W. K. C. Guthrie Hist. Greek Philos. IV. iv. 130 The other..anxious to continue the discussion simply because he is an example of the dogged persistence which is his own definition of courage.
2015 BBC Focus Dec. 65/2 It's an example of how having large quantities of granular data can help improve local authority services.
c. A sample or specimen of a person's work or artistry, or of a particular type of work.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > [noun] > typical or representative case > part as representative of the whole > sample or specimen > of workmanship
example1444
1444 M. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 220 I pray yow..to beyn for me swech lacys os I send yow exsaunpyll of in þ[i]s letter.
1658 W. Sanderson Graphice 29 Begin your Example, by a Copie or Print, of those severall forms of figures.
1875 C. D. E. Fortnum Maiolica v. 48 This Florentine porcelain is especially rare; scarcely thirty examples being known to exist.
1926 E. M. Roberts Time of Man 127 I brought a little example of the sugar bread I made.
1951 N. Pevsner Middlesex 74 The broad mighty curve of the reredos pediment is in strong contrast to the roof, with..its exuberant pendants, as typical an example of English work of the 1530s as can be found anywhere in the palace.
2012 Time Out N.Y. 8 Nov. 44/1 The gallery presents a 20-year survey of the artist's work, including examples of his signature ‘chalkboard’ paintings.
d. A problem or exercise designed to illustrate or demonstrate a principle, rule, etc. (esp. in mathematics).
ΘΚΠ
society > education > learning > study > subject or object of study > [noun] > exercises or homework
lesson?c1225
renderc1380
vulgars1520
practicec1541
theme1545
example1562
tax1564
repetition1579
exercise1612
praxis1612
recreation1633
pensum1667
vacation-exercisea1668
version1711
task1737
thesisa1774
dictation1789
challenging1825
holiday task1827
devoir1849
homework1852
vulgus1857
cram-book1858
rep1858
banco1862
prep1866
classwork1867
preparation1875
work card1878
vacation-task1904
1562 H. Baker Well Sprynge Sci. i. ii. f. 7 In case you doe fynde that the summe be of twoo fygures, you muste set them bothe downe because it is the ende of that woorke, as in thys example.
1672 J. Playford Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 6) 88 Practice to play this Example of the Notes ascending and descending.
1783 W. Taylor Compl. Syst. Pract. Arithm. i. ii. 37 To work this example, begin at the least denomination.
1888 J. Wolstenholme (title) Examples for practice in the use of seven-figure logarithms.
1943 E. H. Lewitt Thermodynamics applied to Heat Engines (ed. 3) xiii. 318 There is a slight increase in efficiency due to this process, but there is also a decrease in the horse-power developed; this is demonstrated in the accompanying worked-out example.
2008 H. J. W. Müller-Kirsten Classical Mech. & Relativity ii. 3 Many books exist with hundreds of worked or unworked examples, of which some can be quite tricky.
4. An act or instance of punishment or retribution intended to deter others from committing the act for which the punishment or retribution is inflicted; (also) a person whose fate may serve as a warning to others against a particular act, course of action, etc. Also as a mass noun: warning, deterrent. Cf. to make an example of (also out of) at Phrases 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [noun] > deterrent
examplea1400
lesson?a1505
deterrent1829
a1400 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (N.Y. Publ. Lib.) (1850) Jude i. 7 Exsaumple [Royal Sodom, and Gomor..ben maad ensaumple sustenynge peyne of euerlastinge fijr; L. factae sunt exemplum].
c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 1879 (MED) No man haue noon affyance In Fortune..As ȝe may se be example of Priamus.
1476 in T. Thomson Acts Lords Auditors (1839) 42/1 To..ger ane officiar stryke him throw the hande..in exemple of punitioun of sic lyke cryme.
1548 Hall's Vnion: Edward IV f. cciv Caused the lord Welles..to be behedded there, to the terrible example of other.
1600 W. Shakespeare Much Ado about Nothing v. i. 314 An arrant knaue..which I beseech your worship to correct your selfe, for the example of others. View more context for this quotation
1665 T. Manley tr. H. Grotius De Rebus Belgicis 389 Let these mens unhappy examples be a warning to others.
1711 E. Freke Diary 22 Feb. (1913) 85 The Bench..ordered them both A Good Whiping..which I saw done to them..Till the Blood spun, for examples sake.
1793 G. Morris in J. Sparks Life G. Morris (1832) II. 388 The examples are so striking and terrifying that every individual trembles.
1871 W. Gilbert Struggle in Ferrara xxii. 108/2 There was a report that several of those arrested..would be executed or severely punished as examples to others.
1906 Public 29 Sept. 614/2 The dead are soon forgotten, whereas a living convict might serve as an example to a generation.
1958 H. M. Hayward & M. Harari tr. B. Pasternak Dr. Zhivago i. vii. 212 A few were bumped off by way of example.
2003 Independent 30 Aug. (Flanders Fields Suppl.) 6/4 Some of the soldiers..were deserters, whose punishment was execution—a sensitive policy, even at the time, but used as an example to others.
5. † b. spec. A precedent by which a comparable subsequent act may be justified or excused. Cf. precedent n. 1a. Obsolete.
a. As a mass noun: similar instances of something from the past considered collectively; precedent. Also occasionally as a count noun: a similar instance from the past; a precedent, a parallel case. Chiefly in beyond example, without example.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > similarity > [noun] > correspondence, analogy, or parallelism > a parallel case
example?a1425
exemplarc1450
parallelism1656
?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 32v (MED) We speke euermore of symple þat þai be exemplez [?c1425 Paris ensamples] to componed.
1447 O. Bokenham Lives of Saints (Arun.) (1938) l. 60 And to thys manyfold of nature Exaunplys acordyth weel scrypture.
1566 T. Becon New Postil i. f. 87 Forasmuche (saye they) as no man hath knowledge of Christes chyldhode, the matter is without example.
1599 S. Daniel Musophilus in Poet. Ess. sig. F3v And now herein incourag'd by thy praise, Is made so bold and ventrous to attempt Beyond example, and to trie those waies.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iii. iv. 13 Such temperate order in so fierce a cause, Doth want example . View more context for this quotation
1705 King Charles III of Spain Let. 22 Oct. in J. Freind Acct. Earl of Peterborow's Conduct in Spain (1707) 50 A Discipline and Generosity without example.
1795 W. Jackson New Newgate Cal. III. 387 The horrid nature and unprovokedness of the crime..is almost without example.
1822 P. B. Shelley Hellas Pref. p. x A spirit and a wisdom which has few examples.
1852 C. Boutell Hero, & his Example 14 It is inconceivable that the desire to do honour to the Duke of Wellington should pervade the entire nation, and should be satisfied only with a funeral demonstration which is without example or precedent.
1932 T. E. Lawrence tr. Homer Odyssey (new ed.) i. 7 But the Gods saw fit to order it quite otherwise when they spirited him away with an utterness beyond example.
2013 San Jose (Calif.) Mercury News (Nexis) 14 May By creating spatial difference, geography becomes an engine for conflict. If that sounds both simplistic and dire, it's unfortunately not without example in our reality.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > a standard of conduct > [noun] > a pattern or model of conduct > a precedent
precedent1427
precedence1484
example1509
preparative1515
samplea1535
pattern1594
1509–10 Act 1 Henry VIII c. 20 §1 in Statutes of Realm (1817) III. 21 That thees grauntz be not take in example to the Kyngez of England in tyme to comme.
1591 H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. iv. 188 Hordeonius..beganne a very ill example, that all letters sent from abroade should be deliuered to the standerdbearers of the Legions.
1647 C. Cotterell & W. Aylesbury tr. E. C. Davila Hist. Civill Warres France i. 23 Katherine of Medicis..according to many examples in former times, pleaded the right to be in her.
1700 J. Tyrrell Gen. Hist. Eng. II. 853 With a Saving Clause, that it should not be drawn into Example.
1769 G. Grenville in London Mag. Nov. 583/2 Whether it is a new and dangerous mode of proceeding, unsupported by any precedent or example in the journals of Parliament.
6. An individual copy of a text (esp. in manuscript). Cf. exemplar n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > written text > [noun] > transcript or copy
transcriptc1290
copyc1330
exemplara1382
again-writingc1384
transumption1412
tenorc1450
examplea1475
transumpt1480
duplicate1532
exemplary1534
double1543
duplicament1574
manuscript1600
apograph1601
exscript1609
exscription1637
transcription1649
autograph1868
a1475 ( S. Scrope tr. Dicts & Sayings Philosophers (Bodl. 943) (1999) 194 (MED) Alexaundre..made alle the bookis of astronomy..to be translatede in-to Greke and..did brenne the exaumples [a1460 exampleres].
a1568 R. Ascham in A. Fleming Panoplie Epist. (1576) 437 I haue sent examples [of this Epistle] to the Kinges Maiestie, and the rest of that noble and gallant companie.
1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens Niewe Herball i. v. 11 Whiche a man shall finde described in some examples of Dioscorides.
1696 C. Ness Compl. Hist. & Myst. Old & New Test. IV. 390 All these parts are contained in the Copy or Example of Peter's Sermon.
1880 Daily News 2 Dec. 5/3 A London bookseller lately disposed of an example for four shillings and sixpence.
1908 Catal. Exhib. Illuminated MSS (John Rylands Libr.) Introd. 3 We turn to the Western manuscripts and attempt to choose among the large number of finely written and magnificently illuminated examples.
1988 Jrnl. J. P. Getty Mus. 16 135/2 We were able to buy at auction an illuminated example of the great medieval treatise on hunting, the Livre de la chasse of Gaston Phébus.
2014 A. E. Nichols in L. H. Cooper & A. Denny-Brown Arma Christi in Medieval & Early Mod. Material Culture iv. 132 Since the York example may postdate Esopus, it cannot be posited as a source.
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1486 Bk. St. Albans sig. fvii A Example of Maisteris.
8. Rhetoric. An argument which proceeds by induction from one or more specific cases. Later also frequently as a mass noun. Cf. paradigma n. 1.
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the mind > mental capacity > philosophy > logic > logical syllogism > [noun] > premise(s) > major or first premise > type of argument in which this is assumed
example1552
1552 T. Wilson Logike fol. 67v An example, is a maner of argumentation, where one thyng is proued by an other, for the likenes, that is found to be in them both.
?1568 L. Evans Abridgem. Logique sig. C.ii An example, is the applying of a lyke thing, or reason, from one person, to an other.
?1637 T. Hobbes tr. Aristotle Briefe Art Rhetorique i. ii. 5 An Example is a short Induction, and an Enthymeme a short Syllogisme.
1774 T. Reid Aristotle's Logic iv. §7 Aristotle gives some observations upon imperfect syllogisms; such as..example, which is an imperfect induction.
1849 W. Thomson Outl. Laws of Thought (ed. 2) Introd. 13 The most important duty of applied Logic is to determine under what conditions imperfect arguments, such as the Example..can be fairly employed.
1875 B. Jowett in tr. Plato Dialogues (ed. 2) IV. 505 Example comes into use when we identify something unknown with that which is known.
1924 Mind 33 413 The retention of the ‘Example’ may be regarded as having given the Indian ‘syllogism’ a better chance of avoiding the fate of becoming a barren thought-form than the quantitative formulation gives it.
2015 G. E. Henderson Creating Legal Worlds vii. 147 Such probable reasoning is based on enthymeme and example,..example being a loose form of inductive reasoning that builds on analogy.
Phrases
P1. to make an example of (also out of) and variants: to punish or exact retribution on (a person), esp. in a way which is disproportionately or unusually severe, in order to deter others from committing the act for which the punishment or retribution is inflicted. [Compare classical Latin exemplum facere (rare before post-classical Latin).]
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the mind > will > motivation > demotivation > demotivate [verb (intransitive)] > serve as deterrent example
to make an example of (also out of)?1536
example1592
c1384 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Royal) (1850) Jude i. 7 Sodom, and Gomor..ben maad ensaumple [a1400 N.Y. Publ. Lib. exsaumple; L. factae sunt exemplum], sustenynge peyne of euerlastinge fijr.]
?1536 W. Marshall Luther's Images Verye Chrysten Bysshop sig. f.vi God..dyd brynge the Cyties of Sodome & Gomorre in to asshes, &..dyd make theym an example vnto all those ye afterwardes shuld worke wyckedly.
1608 T. Middleton Mad World, my Masters v. sig. H3v Ile make you an example for all dizzy Constables.
1698 A. Fletcher Two Disc. Affairs Scotl. i. 38 There seems to be an absolute necessity..of making an example of the notorious enemies to the Liberties of this Country.
1740 D. Bellamy Perjur'd Devotee II. i. ii. 16 I'll make thee an Example to all the politick, pimping, pick-thank Rogues in the Kingdom, you Dog, you.
1796 J. Towers Tracts II. 306 They would make an example of Tabernacle preachers, by enacting a law to cut out their tongues.
1803 Pic Nic No. 4. 5 They must be made an example of.
1863 Q. Rev. Jan. 159 The prisoners have been known to make an example of a warden who was not in their opinion sufficiently liberal with his V.G.'s (‘Very Good’, as marked in the accounts).
1916 Mother Earth Oct. 635 He waved the flag..by making an example of those who dared disagree with himself.
2006 G. Malkani Londonstani xi. 118 I'd say they're looking for any excuse to nick you, make an example out of you to stop all the fighting round here.
P2. to take example from (also by, †at, †of). [Compare Anglo-Norman prendre essample a, prendre essample de, Middle French, French prendre exemple à, prendre exemple de (late 12th cent. in Old French, in both specific uses).] † b. To be deterred from an act, course of action, etc., by the fate or punishment of (a person who has previously acted in the same way). Also with the fate or punishment as prepositional object. Obsolete.
a. To follow the example of; to imitate.In quot. 1587 without preposition.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > imitate [verb (intransitive)] > follow an example
borrow?c1225
to walk in (or tread) a person's stepsa1240
to take example from (also by, at, of)c1405
to dance to or after (a person's) pipe, whistle1546
patrizate1623
patrizizea1642
to follow suit1747
to take a leaf out of a person's book1809
pattern1820
c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer Canterbury Tales Prol. (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 570 A gentil Maunciple was ther of a Temple Of which Achatours myghte take exemple.
c1475 Brome Abraham & Isaac in N. Davis Non-Cycle Plays & Fragm. (1970) 44 All men schall take exampyll be hym [emended in ed. to hym be] My commawmentys how they schall kepe [emended in ed. to fulfyll; rhymes hylle, wyll].
1548 N. Udall et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. I. John f. 103v Ye shall take exaumple at me.
1587 J. Higgins Mirour for Magistrates (new ed.) Porrex. f. 44 Example take you Princes of the land.
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Exemplairement, exemplarily; for others to follow, or to take example by.
a1736 R. Kane Campaigns King William & Queen Anne (1745) 89 Those that lay in Camp took Example of their Commanders.
1777 Brit. Palladium No. 29. 39 This Lady taking example by him, clapt two poisonous Asps to her Breasts, and so died.
1836 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers (1837) xx. 205 Take example by your father, my boy, and be wery careful o' widders.
1869 J. M. Duncan Pract. Treat. Perimetritis & Parametritis 4 Taking example from the heart and other organs, he proposes to use peri to imply inflammation of serous membrane.
1938 H. Granville-Barker Quality 11 Authors..who set out in a businesslike way to supply what is supposed to be most in demand..taking example by the latest best seller.
1998 Gramophone Jan. 86/1 A weird biblical text exhorting layabouts to take example from the industrious ant.
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c1425 J. Lydgate Troyyes Bk. (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 7049 (MED) Of his foly þat he be chastysed, Þat oþer may exaumple by hym take.
a1450 Castle Perseverance (1969) l. 2295 Good men, takythe example at me... I bolne and bleyke in blody ble.
a1593 C. Marlowe Massacre at Paris (c1600) sig. D5 All Rebels vnder heauen, shall take example by their punishment.
c1600 R. Lindsay Hist. & Cron. Scotl. (1899) II. 318 All wratchis may tak example be this man nocht to hurd vp thair siluir.
1690 Banish'd Duke ii. 23 I'll see him shot to death, that Traytors all May take example from his Tragick fall.
P3. for example: (as a sentence adverbial) by way of illustration; as an example or instance. Cf. for instance at instance n. 6b. [Compare Middle French pour exemple (late 14th cent. or earlier), Middle French, French par exemple (early 15th cent. or earlier).]
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the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > in the particular case [phrase] > for instance or example
for example?a1439
as namely1565
exempli causa1569
exempli gratia1591
e.g.1622
ex. gr.1635
for instance1657
exemp. gratia1667
for the purpose1680
par exemple1801
sample this1998
a1439 J. Lydgate Fall of Princes (Bodl. 263) vi. 717 For exaumple see houh Athenyo, That whilom was a shepperde in Ytaille..Lay in a-wait beside a gret mounteyn [Fr. Et apres tu regarde..anthonius pastor].
1584 King James VI & I Ess. Prentise Poesie sig. Liijv As for exempill, ȝe man not say Then feir nocht Nor heir ocht.
1650 W. Charleton tr. J. B. van Helmont Deliramenta Catarrhi 30 For example, let a cold Thorne or needle be priced into any mans finger..and thereupon shall instantly ensue a violent Pulsation.
1697 J. Dryden Ded. Æneis in tr. Virgil Wks. sig. (b)3v Can we, for Example, give the praise of Valour to a Man who shou'd see his Gods prophan'd?
1755 J. Smith Printer's Gram. 49 For example, c, i, m, p, q, u, being Latin Sorts, might be more sparingly cast.
1848 Mechanics’ Mag. 16 Sept. 319/2 Take for example a long multiplication sum; is not the process carried on by mere mechanical attention to certain laws or rules?
1915 J. Turner Let. 19 Apr. in C. Warren Somewhere in France (2019) 6 I personally am so loving you for the ripping things—the absolutely right things always (matches, for example, quite invaluable..).
1937 Daily Express 3 Mar. 5/2 Take this ‘electric eye’, for example. We're installing it in the hotel driveway to warn people in the street whenever a car's coming out.
2010 Independent 1 Apr. (Life section) 10/1 To gain protected status, foods must be linked to a specific geographical area... For example, only cheese made in Italy's Parma region can be called Parmesan.
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1444 in H. Anstey Munimenta Academica Oxf. (1868) II. 541 See and ordeyne by youre discretione that..all such as may be founde defective in that behalve be sharply punished in example of all other.
1493 (c1410) Dives & Pauper (Pynson) iv. ii. sig. m.iv/2 And god bad yt al the people of the cite or of yt towne. shulde sle that vnbuxum child with stones, in example of alle other.
?1532 Ordynaunces Emperour f. xxvii The woman [to be executed] by the pyt, and theyr hedes set there aboute, in example of other.
1569 R. Grafton Chron. 1253 Hanged at Greenewiche..for robberies, in example of all other.
a1650 D. Calderwood Hist. Kirk Scotl. (1843) IV. 309 It were almous to punishe you in example of others.
1681 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Reformation: 2nd Pt. ii. 340 Ananias and Saphira..were declared, by the Mouth of St. Peter, to be tempted by the Devil, and to lye against the Holy Ghost, and in example of all other, punish'd with sudden Death.
P5. Proverb. example is better than precept and variants: demonstrating or exhibiting a desired quality, mode of conduct, etc., oneself is a more effective means of teaching than issuing instructions or making rules.
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a1500 (?a1390) J. Mirk Festial (Gough) (1905) 216 Þen saythe Seynt Austeyn þat an ensampull yn doyng ys mor commendabull þen ys techyng oþer prechyng.
a1568 R. Ascham Scholemaster (1570) i. f. 20v Surelie, one example, is more valiable, both to good and ill, than xx. preceptes written in bookes.]
1591 A. B. in H. Savile tr. Tacitus Ende of Nero: Fower Bks. Hist. To Rdr. sig. ¶3 We are easlier taught by example then by precept.
1625 S. Purchas Pilgrimes IV. Alphabet. Table sig. bbbb2v/2 Example prevaileth more then precept.
1677 W. Rogers Let. 27 Jan. in Christian-Quaker (1680) iv. 86 Example is a better Teacher, than Precept.
a1721 M. Prior Turtle & Sparrow (1723) 190 Example draws where precept fails.
1771 Compl. Coll. Prol. & Epil. 11 Example stronger far than precept acts, And words less move us than the force of facts.
1828 D. M. Moir Life Mansie Wauch xix. 271 Example is better than precept.
1871 S. Smiles Character ii. 35 Example is far more than precept. It is instruction in action.
1914 N. Amer. Jrnl. Homeopathy 29 14 Example is above precept—practice above speech.
2015 S. S. Ravi Philos. & Sociol. Bases of Educ. x. 172 Rousseau believes in the principle that example is better than precept.
P6.
a. to set an example and variants [compare classical Latin exemplum pōnere] : to act or behave in a way that is considered commendable or worthy of imitation, and thereby to encourage or inspire others to act in the same way; to provide a positive model for others to follow. Also: to punish or discipline a person who has done wrong in order to deter others from acting in a similar way.Also with the person to whom the example is set as indirect object, or with to, for.
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1534 W. Marshall tr. Erasmus Playne & Godly Expos. Commune Crede v. f. 129 Our lorde hymselfe hath prescribed a fourme and hath set vs an exaumple [L. Dominus ipse nobis formam praescripsit], whan that excedyng feare, yrkesomnes, & agonye shall come so sore vpon vs: we shall acknowlege the weyknesse of our ouwe might & strength.
1584 E. Paget tr. J. Calvin Harmonie vpon Three Euangelists 456 Christ did not at once,..but by little and little restore the blinde man his sight: the which it is likely that he did to this end, that he might in this man set an example of his free disposation.
1647 S. Marshall Serm. preached Two Houses of Parl. 29 Begin it first in your houses, set an example to others to follow you.
1692 R. L'Estrange Fables ccxxi. 193 Pray Mother (says the Young Crab) do but set the Example your self, and I'll follow ye.
1775 Ess. Nature Colonies iv. 28 This would be extending the rights of hospitality even to matters of commerce, and would undoubtedly redound highly to the reputation of the country which should first set the example.
1870 C. Dickens Edwin Drood viii. 48 If you will set me that example, I promise to follow it.
1916 H. G. Wells Mr. Britling sees it Through 240 He had succeeded in behaving with a sufficient practicality to set an example to his men.
1984 A. Smith Dan's Car in G. Ursell More Sask. Gold iii. i. 275 Armand..wanted me to fire Ramesh to set an example.
2004 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 9 Mar. a26/5 To make a real change in how New York City processes its waste, the government must set an example.
b. to set a good (also bad, poor, wholesome, etc.) example: to act or behave in the specified way, and thereby encourage or influence others to act in the same way; to provide a good (or bad, poor, wholesome, etc.) model for others to follow.Also with the person to whom the example is set as indirect object, or with to, for.
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1621 S. Ward Happinesse of Pract. 21 Let a Gentleman or Minister perswade Parishioners to contribute liberally to a Briefe, and set a niggardly example, and see how much lesse will come of it, then if hee said lesse, and gaue more.
1632 C. Downing Disc. State Eccl. Kingdom iii. 95 Our Royall Soveraignes pious Father, set a good example to his Majestie to follow.
1774 T. Harrington Sci. Improved v. 38 Encouraged by those who ought to set a better example.
1791 C. Stuart Gretna Green ii. 19 Never think of dying a maid, for that would be setting a bad example, and Gretna Green might then go a begging.
1855 Putnam's Monthly Mag. Jan. 66/1 Does nature in those fierce night-brawlers, the billows, set mankind but a sorry example?
1929 Travel Jan. 10/1 Rising in the manner of a good militaire, which he was not, set a wholesome example.
1975 Mil. Affairs 39 124/2 The old generals..set a poor example for the rising younger officers.
1987 R. Bujang Boria 37 He rebukes them for their behaviour in setting a bad example to the neighbourhood.
2011 Central Queensland News (Nexis) 23 Dec. 4 Queensland parents are being encouraged to set a good example by drinking responsibly around their children this festive season.
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1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin xiii. 773 He absteined not from the action of many things of yll example [Fr. de mauuais exemple, It. di pessimo exemplo].
1588 G. Babington Profitable Expos. Lords Prayer vi. 407 By actions man tempteth when either by woordes or deedes of bad example they alure other to sinne and euill.
1749 J. J. Hornyold Real Princ. Catholicks 324 Scandal therefore, is a Sin of bad Example, which is apt to draw or induce other Persons into Sin.
1808 R. Southey tr. Chron. Cid xi. xxvii. 361 It is a thing of bad example for Monasteries and Religioners.
1865 M. Arnold Ess. Crit. ii. 57 Some people will say these are little things; they are not; they are of bad example.
1916 J. A. Ballentine Law Dict. Words, Terms, Abbrev. & Phrases 405 Although anything may not be evil in itself, yet if it is of bad example, it is not to be done.
Compounds
C1.
a. attributive or appositive, with the sense ‘that is or may serve as a typical or illustrative example’, as example case, example question, etc.
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1870 Leeds Mercury 26 Jan. 3/4 As the new regulations were not well known to the cabmen, and as these were something like example cases for the purpose of letting them know what they really were, a small fine should be inflicted in this and two similar cases.
1871 Daily Arkansas Gaz. (Little Rock, Arkansas) 30 June He..quoted as an example case where the comptroller in the treasury department..appealed to General Jackson.
1970 Analysis 30 72 But our example question ‘When will he come?’ could equally well be answered by [etc.].
1974 T. R. N. Rao Error Coding for Arithm. Processors vi. 170 Some example codes are given in Table 6.2.
2013 Radio Times 9 Nov. (South/West ed.) 120/2 Tonight, comedian Joel Dommett reveals the countdown from ten to seven, with example episodes.
b.
example sentence n.
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1870 Royal Comm. Inq. Primary Educ. (Ireland) III. 135 in Parl. Papers (C. 6-II) XXVIII. 1 Example sentence: ‘Nubia lies to the south of Egypt and is an equally hot country.’
1916 C. L. Hooper & J. F. Hosic Composition Gram. i. 10 Take up the example sentences one by one, and determine which are declarative and which are interrogative.
2008 Washington Post (Nexis) 30 Mar. bw 10 Bickerton gives many example sentences from various Creoles.
C2. Objective, as example-giver, example-giving; example-setting adj., etc.
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1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende f. cccxv/1 Bisshops and prelates, whiche shold preuayle more by techynge and example gyuynge.
c1500 (?a1475) Assembly of Gods (1896) l. 898 (MED) Ther were notable and famous doctours, Example yeuers of lyuyng gracyous.
1571 H. G. tr. G. Boccaccio Thirtene Plesant & Delectable Questions vii. sig. Y Thou through example giuing dost endeuour thy selfe to shew, that all goodnesse and all vertue doth proceede from him.
1757 R. Maxwell Pract. Husbandman 370 One begins when his Neighbour begins, and the Example-giver is commonly one who has scraped a little Pelf together, seldom by Husbandry.
1870 Nation (N.Y.) 13 Jan. 26/1 The law-givers, and example-givers, and philosophers of our day do not see that these things are incompatible.
1921 Shorthorn World 25 Nov. 24/2 He was even more of an example setter than a teacher.
2009 Atlantic Monthly Apr. 23/2 The feds have adopted a mostly hands-off policy, though they occasionally swoop in to make an example-setting arrest.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
examplev.
/ᵻɡˈzɑːmpl/, /ᵻɡˈzampl/, /ɛɡˈzɑːmpl/, /ɛɡˈzampl/, U.S. /ɪɡˈzæmpəl/, /ɛɡˈzæmpəl/ 1. † b. transitive. To draw attention to (a person) as being worthy of imitation; to hold up as a good example. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To set or afford an example of (a quality, mode of conduct, etc., esp. one considered commendable or worthy of imitation). Now somewhat rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > find or furnish an instance or example of [verb (transitive)]
examplea1393
exemply?a1425
exemplify?a1439
mustera1616
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) Prol. l. 7 (MED) Essampled of these olde wyse.
a1438 Bk. Margery Kempe (1940) i. 2 (MED) Whech parfyth wey Cryst ower Savyowr in hys propyr persoone examplyd.
c1475 (c1445) R. Pecock Donet (1921) 72 (MED) Þis teching he schal make..exaumpling vertuose dedis, namelich þat he do no þing aȝens þi lawe.
1598 G. Chapman tr. Homer Seauen Bks. Iliades iv. 238 He examples this With toiling, like the worst, on foot.
1655 E. Terry Voy. E.-India 218 Keeping to their old fashions in their habits, exampled to them by their predecessors.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc vi. 343 Exampling hardiest deeds, Salisbury struck down the foe.
1901 Empire Rev. 1 147 With her good consort she [sc. Queen Victoria] exampled to her people a life worthy of the highest imitation.
2015 T. Hoogsteen Covenant Wks. 275 Through psalm and harp abilities he exampled large-hearted praise.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > relationship > imitation > imitate [verb (transitive)] > follow a person as an example > hold forth as an example
example1615
1615 R. Brathwait Strappado 11 I might example thee, To be the glorie of our progenie.
1637 M. Fage Fames Roule 184 Beholding after ages then shall be, Right Noble Lord, but to example thee: On whom, in Histories when they shall read, Viewing your worth.
a1640 J. Fletcher & P. Massinger Lovers Progres ii. iii, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Kkk3/2 You are the patterne of faire friendship, Exampled for your Love, and imitated.
c. transitive. To set a good example to (a person); to teach by example. Also intransitive. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > education > teaching > [verb (transitive)] > teach by other methods
example1645
demonstrate1683
bear-lead1833
kindergarten1872
1645 W. Laud Commemoration King Charles his Inauguration 25 And what a Kings Son may learne, when he is exampled by such a Father.
1724 T. Chalkley Let. 10 June in Coll. Wks. (1751) 117 A pure strict Watch is required of you in Conversation..that your Children may be exampled.
1788 W. Blakey Jrnl. 8 Oct. in Friends' Misc. (1833) No. 3. 103 To example well, and show to the world by our honest and peaceable lives, that we are the followers of Christ, will be more convincing than many arguments.
1817 S. T. Coleridge Blessed are ye that Sow Introd. p. xvii 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.
2001 A. Green Torching Fink Bks. & Other Ess. 198 Peter Tamony exampled others to puzzle their way out of each immediate, enveloping cocoon.
2. † c. intransitive. To cite or supply examples in support or illustration of an assertion, general rule, etc.; = exemplify v. 1a. Obsolete.
a. transitive. To support, illustrate, or demonstrate (an assertion, general rule, etc.) with an example or examples; = exemplify v. 1b. rare between early 17th and late 19th centuries.Also with clause as object.
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?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac Grande Chirurgie (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 152v (MED) In exemplyng þe maner of inducyng þat ende bi curatyuez intensionz.
c1450 (c1440) S. Scrope in tr. C. de Pisan Epist. of Othea (Longleat) (1904) 4 Grovndyed and also exempled by experiens and by auctorite of the auncient philosophurs.
1613 A. Sherley Relation Trav. Persia 18 I speake of these strange escapings..onely to example to other how much it pleaseth God to fauour good intentions.
1895 Primrose League Gaz. 1 Apr. 15/1 Describing the present as an era of disloyalty, the speaker exampled how men who took part in disloyalty were told off to high places.
1900 Jrnl. Amer. Med. Assoc. 17 Mar. 687/1 He exampled this [sc. the power of morphin to support life] by reference to the Orientals, who take their daily allowance of opium..simply as a food.
1967 Independent (Pasadena, Calif.) 6 Sept. 10/1 The clash of major states is violent enough as it is, as can easily be exampled by recalling how..Estes Kefauver defeated John F. Kennedy for the vice presidential nomination.
2014 S. Bacon in N. Farghaly Unraveling Resident Evil 217 I shall consider the different uses of mutation and evolution..to example how the films represent what Sarah Nuttall calls the ‘entanglement’ of time and memory.
b. transitive. To cite or quote (a fact, case, etc.) as an example in support or illustration of an assertion, general rule, etc.; = exemplify v. 1c.
ΚΠ
1552 R. King Funerall Serm. sig. E.viv Now let vs example the text, whiche saith [etc.].
a1633 Visct. Falkland Hist. Edward II (1680) 157 If we example him [sc. Edward the Fifth] with them, we may it is true conclude his case most miserable.
1658 W. Sanderson Compl. Hist. Life King Charles 178 Doctor Bastwick (whom he examples for one..) grudging at the great expence in the Repair, observes his base and irreverend expression.
1704 Clarendon's Hist. Rebellion III. xi. 176 More misguided Persons were at last reduced to their Loyalty, than could in any story be exampled.
1835 New Monthly Mag. Apr. 514 He repudiates the notion of making ‘every man his own doctor’... He examples a patient subject to palpitation reading a medical treatise... He hurries to the conclusion that his own heart is diseased.
1881 Garden 9 Apr. 388/1 He exampled the ‘forest Oak’ as a tree that had never been touched by the knife.
1902 Jrnl. Royal Statist. Soc. 65 281 To prove that my figures are ‘ridiculous as well as worthless’, he examples the case of Berar.
1953 Racine (Wisconsin) Jrnl.-Times 27 July 4/3 He pointed out that the United States was doing much to help Europe unite. He exampled the Marshall Plan.
2014 G. Pearson in L. Hamilton et al. Contemp. Issues Managem. i. 15 He observed productivity gains from the specialisation of work, which he exampled with his pin workshop.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > be instanced or exemplified [verb (intransitive)] > give an instance or example
exemplify?a1439
to give or make instance1592
example1616
sample1871
to give (one) a for instance1959
1616 B. Jonson Cynthias Revels (rev. ed.) v. ii, in Wks. I. 237 I will example vnto you. Your opponent makes entrie, as you are ingag'd with your mistresse.
1630 W. Basse Helpe to Memory & Disc. 36 Thou shalt finde rewards and punishments of vertuous and vicious Princes,..and many their wicked Actions repayd by way of retribution and retaliation: to example in two or three presidents of our owne home: [etc.].
3. transitive. To be evidence of; (also) to be or serve as an illustrative example of; = exemplify v. 3. Frequently in passive.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > an individual case or instance > find or furnish an instance or example of [verb (transitive)] > afford an example of
examplec1443
exemplify1567
pattern1606
represent1838
c1443 R. Pecock Reule of Crysten Religioun (1927) 185 (MED) Neiþer resoun þerto driveþ, neiþer woned vse in creaturis it exaumpliþ.
1556 J. Heywood Spider & Flie lxxviii. 128 My meaning..last exampled by my fleeing with flise.
1579 A. Munday Mirrour Mutabilitie Commendation sig. C.iv Vertue hath aye adornd your valiant hart, Exampled by your deeds of lasting fame.
1605 A. Munday tr. G. Affinati Dumbe Divine Speaker 157 (note) The same is exampled among brute beasts.
a1674 J. Vaughan Rep. & Arguments (1677) 224 Eating the Flesh of Men..and many other things which..by contrary Custome among some other Nations or People, are as desirable as other Food, as is exampled in the Anthropophagi, the Canibals.
1737 T. Rundle Let. (1789) II. 22 Feb. xxix. 210 To be a popular Minister of State, is a felicity scarcely before exampled.
1828 T. Carlyle in Foreign Rev. 2 116 Of an interest altogether peculiar, and not in this degree exampled in existing literature.
1869 W. E. Henley in Times Lit. Supp. (1918) 21 Mar. 158/2 Nerveless I lie, exampling slow decay, Despondency, dull impotent distress.
1946 Northwest Arkansas Times 30 Oct. 4/5 The world is acquiring vast powers of inanimate forces as exampled by atomic bomb and huge air forces.
2002 Walla Walla (Washington) Union-Bull. 8 Apr. a2/5 His love for God and church was exampled by faithful Bible study and witness.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > justification > justify [verb (transitive)] > by precedents
example1587
exemplify1595
1587 (title) A defence of the honorable sentence and execution of the Queene of Scots: exempled with analogies.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost i. ii. 111 That I may example my digression by some mightie presedent.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. iii. 56 This..Shall..proue a deadly blood-shed, but a iest, Exampled by this heynous spectacle. View more context for this quotation
1683 J. Nalson Impartial Coll. of Great Affairs of State anno 1641 II. 716 The long delay to the Commons..is not Exampled by former Precedents.
5. † a. transitive. To serve as a deterrent or warning to (others) against a particular act, course of action, etc. Also intransitive. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > memory > reminder, putting in mind > remind [verb (transitive)] > as injunction or warning
admonish1546
example1592
the mind > will > motivation > demotivation > demotivate [verb (intransitive)] > serve as deterrent example
to make an example of (also out of)?1536
example1592
1592 R. Greene Thirde Pt. Conny-catching sig. D3v Let the poore Cutlers mishap example others.
1621 R. Henryson tr. Æsop Morall Fables (Hart) 28 This suddaine death..of this false Tod..Examples [?a1500 Exempill is] exhortand folke to amend.
b. transitive. To punish or exact retribution on (a person), as a deterrent or warning to others; to make an example of (a person). In early use also with out. Somewhat rare in later use.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > [verb (transitive)] > inflict disciplinary or corrective punishment > specific to make an example of
to make exemplarya1601
exemplifya1637
example1639
1639 W. Sclater, Jr. Worthy Communicant Rewarded 7 The stroke of God's displeasure; of which Nadab and Abihu..are exampled out for our warning.
1650 M. à Vauts Husband's Authority Unvail'd 90 If poor Commoners shall be ordered or exampled by such Constables and Conservators as afore described.
1654 E. Gayton Pleasant Notes Don Quixot iv. xx. 268 Fortune had an intent to example him..for his sufferings.
1875 Martinsville (Indiana) Republican 29 July 10/3 The Judge thought it a good time to make an example of the sacrilegious crest, and he exampled him. Fine, five dollars and costs.
1962 J. H. Giles Voy. Santa Fe xxv. 311 They never exampled him. They jist let him go free to kill ag'in.
2003 M. R. Lovric Floating Bk. iv. vii. 253 As Christian foreigners they were not to be judged like the Venetians and those from the pagan East who must be exampled.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2016; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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