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one of a number of things, or a part of something, that represents the whole thing or whole group:This painting is an example of his early work.
a pattern or model, as of something to be imitated or avoided: to set a good example.
for example, (used to mean that what follows is an instance or several instances of what has been spoken or written about); for instance:The train I take is always late. For example, this morning it was a half an hour late.
The expression for example stays the same if there is one example that follows, or if there are two or more examples:There are several uses for computers.One, for example, is as a word processor.(or)There are several uses for computers.For example, they are used as word processors, teaching tools, and reference sources.
ex•am•ple(ig zam′pəl, -zäm′-),USA pronunciationn., v.,-pled, -pling. n.
one of a number of things, or a part of something, taken to show the character of the whole:This painting is an example of his early work.
a pattern or model, as of something to be imitated or avoided:to set a good example.
an instance serving for illustration; specimen:The case histories gave carefully detailed examples of this disease.
Mathematicsan instance illustrating a rule or method, as a mathematical problem proposed for solution.
an instance, esp. of punishment, serving as a warning to others:Public executions were meant to be examples to the populace.
a precedent; parallel case:an action without example.
v.t.
[Rare.]to give or be an example of; exemplify (used in the passive).
Latin, as above
Latin exemplum, akin to eximere to take out (ex-ex-1 + emere to buy, origin, originally take); replacing Middle English exemple
Middle French example
Middle English exa(u)mple 1350–1400
1.Example,sample,specimen refer to an individual phenomenon taken as representative of a type, or to a part representative of the whole. Example is used of an object, condition, etc., that is assumed to illustrate a certain principle or standard:a good example of baroque architecture.Sample refers to a small portion of a substance or to a single representative of a group or type that is intended to show what the rest of the substance or the group is like:a sample of yarn.Specimen usually suggests that the "sample'' chosen is intended to serve a scientific or technical purpose:a blood specimen; zoological specimens.2. See ideal.3. See case1.