Examples

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ɪɡˈzɑːmpl̩z/

Definitions

1. Instances of things that illustrate a concept, individual cases that demonstrate a broader point, or sample items used to clarify something
2. Particular cases provided for clarification, illustrations meant to support an explanation, or representative samples highlighting a larger idea
3. Specific cases offered to make something easier to understand, demonstrations that help explain or prove a statement, or typical models serving to represent a general rule

Etymology: The story of "examples" is closely tied to the Latin word "exemplum," meaning "a sample, pattern, or model." The singular "example" entered English in the Middle Ages, with records dating back to the 14th century. In its earliest uses, it referred not only to something that serves as a pattern for imitation, but also to a warning or cautionary tale—a sense that lingers today in the phrase "make an example of." The journey began with the Latin "eximere" ("to take out"), which gave rise to "exemplum" as something extracted to illustrate a point. This passed into Old French as "example" before making its way into Middle English. Over time, the word shifted from meaning specifically moral stories or cautionary precedents (often found in medieval sermons or collections of "exempla") to its modern, broader sense: any item used to illustrate or clarify a general rule or statement. The plural "examples" is a straightforward formation, created simply by adding the English plural "-s" to the singular noun. This is a case where the etymological path is clear and unembellished, reflecting the word’s role as a model or illustration in both language and thought.

Synonyms: instances, illustrations, samples, cases, demonstrations