ex-(out) + emere(take)

1. a thing characteristic of its kind or illustrating a general rule: 同じ種類の特徴や一般的な法則を説明するもの

e.g. it's a good example of how European action can produce results: ヨーロッパの行為がどのような結果を生むのかという良い例だ。

e.g. some of these carpets are among the finest examples of the period. : これらのカーペットのうちのいくつかは、その時代の最も良い例に含まれる

a printed or written problem or exercise designed to illustrate a rule. : 法則を説明するために書かれた課題、問題

(数学の)例題; (辞書の)用例, 例文.

2 a person or thing regarded in terms of their fitness to be imitated or the likelihood of their being imitated: 適合性の観点から模範になる、もしくはその可能性があると考えられる人や物

it is vitally important that parents should set an example. : 両親が見本を示すのは極めて重要だ。

she followed her brother's example and deserted her family. : 彼女は兄の戒めに倣って家族を捨てた。

late Middle English: from Old French, from Latin exemplum, from eximere ‘take out’, from ex- ‘out’ + emere ‘take’. Compare with sample.