example

noun

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.

an instance illustrating a rule or method, as a mathematical problem proposed for solution.

an instance, especially 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.

verb (used with object)

Rare. to give or be an example of; exemplify (used in the passive).

00:10

Example is one of our favorite verbs.

So is bowdlerise. Does it mean:

to bark; yelp.

to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable.

LEARN MORE FUN, UNUSUAL VERBS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English exa(u)mple < Middle French example < Latin exemplum, akin to eximere to take out (ex- ex-¹ + emere to buy, orig. take); replacing Middle English exemple < Latin, as above

Synonyms
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.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To example

Collins

World English Dictionary

example (ɪɡˈzɑːmp^əl)

—n
1.	a specimen or instance that is typical of the group or set of which it forms part; sample
2.	a person, action, thing, etc, that is worthy of imitation; pattern: you must set an example to the younger children
3.	a precedent, illustration of a principle, or model: an example in a maths book
4.	a punishment or the recipient of a punishment serving or intended to serve as a warning: the headmaster made an example of him
5.	for example as an illustration; for instance

—vb
6.	(tr; now usually passive) to present an example of; exemplify

[C14: from Old French, from Latin exemplum pattern, from eximere to take out, from ex-¹ + emere to purchase]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

example

late 14c., partial re-Latinization of earlier essample, from O.Fr. essample, from L. exemplum "a sample," lit. "that which is taken out," from eximere "take out, remove" (see exempt). Oldest English senses are of "behavior" and "punishment."

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Easton

Bible Dictionary

Example definition

of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering affliction (James 5:10).

Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary
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American Heritage

Idioms & Phrases

example

see for example; make an example of; set an example.