example


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ex·am·ple

 (ĭg-zăm′pəl)
n.
1. One that is representative of a group as a whole: the squirrel, an example of a rodent; introduced each new word with examples of its use.
2. One serving as a pattern of a specific kind: set a good example by arriving on time.
3. A similar case that constitutes a model or precedent: a unique episode, without example in maritime history.
4.
a. A punishment given as a warning or deterrent: saw the boy's suspension as an example to all students considering breaking the rules.
b. One that has been given such a punishment: made an example of the offender.
5. A problem or exercise used to illustrate a principle or method.
Idiom:
for example
As an illustrative instance: Wear something simple; for example, a skirt and blouse.

[Middle English, from Old French example, essaumple, from Latin exemplum, from eximere, to take out : ex-, ex- + emere, to take; see em- in Indo-European roots.]
Synonyms: example, instance, case1, illustration, specimen
These nouns refer to what is representative of or serves to explain a larger group or class. An example is a typically representative part that demonstrates the character of the whole: "Of the despotism to which unrestrained military power leads we have plenty of examples from Alexander to Mao" (Samuel Eliot Morison).
An instance is an example that is cited to prove or illustrate a point: offered the statistics as an instance of why the penal system needed to be overhauled. A case is an example belonging to a particular category: a case of life imitating art. An illustration clarifies or explains: "[The author] has provided an illustration of a first-rate experimental mind at work" (Richard Bernstein).
Specimen often denotes an individual, representative member of a group or class: This poem is an excellent specimen of her work.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

example

(ɪɡˈzɑːmpəl)
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
(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 and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

ex•am•ple

(ɪgˈzæm pəl, -ˈzɑm-)

n., v. -pled, -pling. n.
1. one of a number of things, or a part of something, taken to show the character of the whole.
2. a pattern or model, as of something to be imitated or avoided: to set a good example.
3. an instance serving for illustration; specimen.
4. an instance illustrating a rule or method, as a mathematical problem proposed for solution.
5. an instance, esp. of punishment, serving as a warning to others.
6. a precedent; parallel case: an action without example.
v.t.
7. to give or be an example of; exemplify (used in the passive).
[1350–1400; Middle English exa(u)mple < Middle French example < Latin exemplum, akin to eximere to take out; see exempt]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

Example

 of masters: a company of masters—Bk. of St. Albans, 1486.
Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

example

1. 'example'

If something has the typical features of a particular kind of thing, you can say that it is an example of that kind of thing.

It's a very fine example of traditional architecture.
This is yet another example of poor management.

When someone mentions an example of a particular kind of thing, you say that they are giving an example of that kind of thing.

Could you give me an example?
Let me give you an example of the sort of thing that happens.

Be Careful!
Don't say that someone 'says an example'.

2. 'for example'

When you mention an example of something, you often say for example.

Switzerland, for example, has four official languages.
There must be some discipline in the home. For example, I do not allow my daughter to play with my computer.

Be Careful!
Don't say 'by example'.

Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012

example


Past participle: exampled
Gerund: exampling

Imperative
example
example
Present
I example
you example
he/she/it examples
we example
you example
they example
Preterite
I exampled
you exampled
he/she/it exampled
we exampled
you exampled
they exampled
Present Continuous
I am exampling
you are exampling
he/she/it is exampling
we are exampling
you are exampling
they are exampling
Present Perfect
I have exampled
you have exampled
he/she/it has exampled
we have exampled
you have exampled
they have exampled
Past Continuous
I was exampling
you were exampling
he/she/it was exampling
we were exampling
you were exampling
they were exampling
Past Perfect
I had exampled
you had exampled
he/she/it had exampled
we had exampled
you had exampled
they had exampled
Future
I will example
you will example
he/she/it will example
we will example
you will example
they will example
Future Perfect
I will have exampled
you will have exampled
he/she/it will have exampled
we will have exampled
you will have exampled
they will have exampled
Future Continuous
I will be exampling
you will be exampling
he/she/it will be exampling
we will be exampling
you will be exampling
they will be exampling
Present Perfect Continuous
I have been exampling
you have been exampling
he/she/it has been exampling
we have been exampling
you have been exampling
they have been exampling
Future Perfect Continuous
I will have been exampling
you will have been exampling
he/she/it will have been exampling
we will have been exampling
you will have been exampling
they will have been exampling
Past Perfect Continuous
I had been exampling
you had been exampling
he/she/it had been exampling
we had been exampling
you had been exampling
they had been exampling
Conditional
I would example
you would example
he/she/it would example
we would example
you would example
they would example
Past Conditional
I would have exampled
you would have exampled
he/she/it would have exampled
we would have exampled
you would have exampled
they would have exampled
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.example - an item of information that is typical of a class or groupexample - an item of information that is typical of a class or group; "this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"; "there is an example on page 10"
information - knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction
apology, excuse - a poor example; "it was an apology for a meal"; "a poor excuse for an automobile"
exception - an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization; "all her children were brilliant; the only exception was her last child"; "an exception tests the rule"
case in point, precedent - an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time
quintessence - the most typical example or representative of a type
sample - a small part of something intended as representative of the whole
specimen - an example regarded as typical of its class
2.example - a representative form or pattern; "I profited from his example"
internal representation, mental representation, representation - a presentation to the mind in the form of an idea or image
loadstar, lodestar - something that serves as a model or guide
epitome, prototype, paradigm, image - a standard or typical example; "he is the prototype of good breeding"; "he provided America with an image of the good father"
holotype, type specimen - the original specimen from which the description of a new species is made
microcosm - a miniature model of something
archetype, original, pilot - something that serves as a model or a basis for making copies; "this painting is a copy of the original"
template, templet, guide - a model or standard for making comparisons
prefiguration - an example that prefigures or foreshadows what is to come
3.example - something to be imitated; "an exemplar of success"; "a model of clarity"; "he is the very model of a modern major general"
ideal - the idea of something that is perfect; something that one hopes to attain
beaut, beauty - an outstanding example of its kind; "his roses were beauties"; "when I make a mistake it's a beaut"
pacemaker, pacesetter - a leading instance in its field; "the new policy will be a pacesetter in community relations"
pattern - a model considered worthy of imitation; "the American constitution has provided a pattern for many republics"
prodigy - an impressive or wonderful example of a particular quality; "the Marines are expected to perform prodigies of valor"
4.example - punishment intended as a warning to others; "they decided to make an example of him"
admonition, word of advice, monition, warning - cautionary advice about something imminent (especially imminent danger or other unpleasantness); "a letter of admonition about the dangers of immorality"; "the warning was to beware of surprises"; "his final word of advice was not to play with matches"
5.example - an occurrence of something; "it was a case of bad judgment"; "another instance occurred yesterday"; "but there is always the famous example of the Smiths"
happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent - an event that happens
humiliation, mortification - an instance in which you are caused to lose your prestige or self-respect; "he had to undergo one humiliation after another"
bit, piece - an instance of some kind; "it was a nice piece of work"; "he had a bit of good luck"
time, clip - an instance or single occasion for some event; "this time he succeeded"; "he called four times"; "he could do ten at a clip"
6.example - a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill or understanding; "you must work the examples at the end of each chapter in the textbook"
lesson - a task assigned for individual study; "he did the lesson for today"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

example

noun
1. instance, specimen, case, sample, illustration, case in point, particular case, particular instance, typical case, exemplification, representative case, xample (S.M.S.) examples of sexism and racism in the police force
2. illustration, model, ideal, standard, norm, precedent, pattern, prototype, paradigm, archetype, paragon, exemplar, xample (S.M.S.) This piece is a perfect example of symphonic construction.
3. warning, lesson, caution, deterrent, admonition, xample (S.M.S.) We were punished as an example to others.
for example as an illustration, like, such as, for instance, to illustrate, by way of illustration, exempli gratia (Latin), e.g., to cite an instance You could, for example, walk instead of taking the car.
Proverbs
"Practise what you preach"
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

example

noun
1. One that is representative of a group or class:
2. One that is worthy of imitation or duplication:
3. A closely similar case in existence or in the past:
4. An instance that warns or discourages prospective imitators:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
مِثالمِثَالمِثال لِ، تَحْذيرمَثَلنَموذَج
příklad
eksempelforbilledeadvarsel
esimerkkiesikuva
primjer
példapéldányprecedens
dæmifordæmi, fyrirmyndvarnaîardæmi, víti til varnaîar
exemplarexemplum
pavyzdyspavyzdžiuirodyti pavyzdį
piemērsmācībaparaugs
primerna primer
exempel
ตัวอย่าง
örnekörnek insan/davranışdersibretmisal
ví dụ

example

[ɪgˈzɑːmpl] N (gen) → ejemplo m; (= copy, specimen) → ejemplar m
for examplepor ejemplo
to quote sth/sb as an examplecitar algo/a algn como ejemplo
to follow sb's exampleseguir el ejemplo de algn
to set a good/bad exampledar buen/mal ejemplo
to make an example of sb/punish sb as an exampledar a algn un castigo ejemplar
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

example

[ɪgˈzɑːmpəl] n
(= illustration) → exemple m
to give an example of sth → donner un exemple de qch
for example → par exemple
(= model of behaviour) → exemple m, modèle m
He is an example to us all → Il est un exemple pour nous tous.
to set an example → donner l'exemple
to set a good example → donner le bon exemple
to set a bad example → donner le mauvais exemple
to follow sb's example → suivre l'exemple de qn
(= case) → exemple m, cas m
an example of sth → un exemple de qch
(= specimen) → exemple m, spécimen m
This is an example of his work → Voici un exemple de son travail., Voici un spécimen de son travail.
to make an example of sb → faire un exemple en punissant qn
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

example

nBeispiel nt; for examplezum Beispiel; to set a good/bad exampleein gutes/schlechtes Beispiel geben, mit gutem/schlechtem Beispiel vorangehen; his conduct should be an example to ussein Verhalten sollte uns ein Beispiel sein; a leader who is an example to his menein Führer, der seinen Männern als Beispiel dient or mit leuchtendem Beispiel vorangeht; to follow somebody’s examplejds Beispiel folgen; to take something as an examplesich (dat)an etw ein Beispiel nehmen; to make an example of somebodyan jdm ein Exempel statuieren; to punish somebody as an example to othersjdn exemplarisch bestrafen
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

example

[ɪgˈzɑːmpl] n (gen) → esempio; (person) → esempio, modello; (copy) → esemplare m
for example → ad or per esempio
to quote sth/sb as an example → portare qc/qn come esempio
to set a good/bad example → dare il buon/cattivo esempio
to make an example of sb → dare l'esempio (punendo qn)
to punish sb as an example → punire qn per dare l'esempio
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

example

(igˈzaːmpl) noun
1. something that represents other things of the same kind; a specimen. an example of his handwriting.
2. something that shows clearly or illustrates a fact etc. Can you give me an example of how this word is used?
3. a person or thing that is a pattern to be copied. She was an example to the rest of the class.
4. a warning to be heeded. Let this be an example to you, and never do it again!
for example (often abbreviated to eg ) (iːˈdʒiː)
for instance; as an example. Several European countries have no sea-coast – for example, Switzerland and Austria.
make an example of
to punish as a warning to others. The judge decided to make an example of the young thief and sent him to prison for five years.
set (someone) an example
to act in such a way that other people will copy one's behaviour. Teachers must set a good example to their pupils.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

example

مِثَال příklad eksempel Beispiel παράδειγμα ejemplo esimerkki exemple primjer esempio voorbeeld eksempel przykład exemplo пример exempel ตัวอย่าง örnek ví dụ 例子
Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009

example

n. ejemplo, muestra.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
References in classic literature ?
"Pray, mother," said the young one, "do but set the example yourself, and I will follow you."
Of the first, those that had an humble origin and rose to the greatness they still preserve, the Ottoman house may serve as an example, which from an humble and lowly shepherd, its founder, has reached the height at which we now see it.
But as a more concise, and at the same time equally satisfactory, evidence, I will refer to the example of two States, attested by two unexceptionable authorities.
Here we have an example from everyday, commonplace life.
But even as expounded by its author it does not explain, and in truth is incompatible with some incidents of, the occurrences related in these memoranda: for example, the sound of Charles Ashmore's voice.
* How, for example, can we obtain such knowledge as the following: "If we look at, say, a red nose and perceive it, and after a little while ekphore, its memory-image, we note immediately how unlike, in its likeness, this memory-image is to the original perception" (A.
"I don't care who knows it -- I think we are both of us shamefully ill-used!" With those words, the young lady followed her sister's example by seating herself on a hall chair and looking aimlessly out through the open house door.
"These STRULDBRUGS and I would mutually communicate our observations and memorials, through the course of time; remark the several gradations by which corruption steals into the world, and oppose it in every step, by giving perpetual warning and instruction to mankind; which, added to the strong influence of our own example, would probably prevent that continual degeneracy of human nature so justly complained of in all ages.
The deeds of Gogoomy and his fellows had been a bad example for the one hundred and fifty new recruits.
Let us suppose an inhabitant of some remote and superior region, yet unskilled in the ways of men, having read and considered the precepts of the gospel, and the example of our Saviour, to come down in search of the true church: if he would not inquire after it among the cruel, the insolent, and the oppressive; among those who are continually grasping at dominion over souls as well as bodies; among those who are employed in procuring to themselves impunity for the most enormous villainies, and studying methods of destroying their fellow-creatures, not for their crimes but their errors; if he would not expect to meet benevolence, engage in massacres, or to find mercy in a court of inquisition, he would not look for the true church in the Church of Rome.
As the number of the sides increases, a Polygon approximates to a Circle; and, when the number is very great indeed, say for example three or four hundred, it is extremely difficult for the most delicate touch to feel any polygonal angles.
But when the tragic incident occurs between those who are near or dear to one another--if, for example, a brother kills, or intends to kill, a brother, a son his father, a mother her son, a son his mother, or any other deed of the kind is done these are the situations to be looked for by the poet.