example

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   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

2. 2
   noun

   an item of information that is typical of a class or group

   this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome

3. 3
   noun

   a representative form or pattern

   I profited from my teacher's example.

4. 4
   noun

   punishment intended as a warning to others

   they decided to make an example of him

5. 5
   noun

   Something that is representative of all such things in a group.

   If Demandt's essay served as a strident example of the German desire for normalcy, a more subtle example was provided by a brief allohistorical depiction of a Nazi victory in World War II written by German historian Michael Salewski in 1999.

6. 6
   noun

   Something that serves to illustrate or explain a rule.

   Plant breeding is always a numbers game.[…]The wild species we use are rich in genetic variation, […]. In addition, we are looking for rare alleles, so the more plants we try, the better. These rarities may be new mutations, or they can be existing ones that are neutral—or are even selected against—in a wild population. A good example is mutations that disrupt seed dispersal, leaving the seeds on the heads long after they are ripe.

7. 7
   noun

   Something that serves as a pattern of behaviour to be imitated (a good example) or not to be imitated (a bad example).

   Nelson Mandela was an example for many to follow.

8. 8
   noun

   A person punished as a warning to others.

   […]hang him, hee'le be made an example.

Etymology

From Middle English example, exaumple, from Old French example, essaumple, from Latin exemplum (“sample, pattern, specimen, copy for imitation, etc.”, literally “what is taken out”); see exempt. Doublet of exemplum and sample. Displaced native Middle English forebisne, from Old English forebȳsn; and Middle English bisne, from Old English bȳsn (modern English bizen).