a pattern, mould, or stencil used as a guide to the shape of something that is being made or drawn
a thing that serves as a model for other things
a molecule in a biological system carrying information that codes or acts as a pattern for the structure of another molecule, e.g. a protein
a short piece or block placed horizontally in a wall under a beam to distribute its weight or pressure, e.g. over a door
[template alteration (influenced by plate) of templet, prob from French templet, dimin. of temple: see temple3]