▪ I. examplar, n. Now rare.
(ɛgˈzɑːmplə(r), -æ-)
Forms: 5 examplaire, -ayre, -eir, -ire, exawmplere, 5–7 exampler, 6– examplar.
[a. OF. examplaire, exemplaire (see exemplar), semi-learned form of essamplaire:—late L. exemplārium, f. exemplum example n.
Now almost superseded by exemplar; it is possible that some of the recent instances may be merely misprints.]
1. A pattern, model; a perfect specimen (of some quality); a person or thing to be imitated.
| c 1430 Lydg. in Pol. Rel. & L. Poems 47 Moder of ihesu, myrrour of chastite..Trew examplire of verginite. 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour D iij b, After thexamplayre of his sone. 1561 T. Norton Calvin's Inst. iv. 60 They..toke their examplar out of the dotages of the Gentiles. 1568 E. Tilney Flower of Friendship, A silent person is the exampler of wisedome. 1582 N. T. (Rhem.) Heb. ix. 23 It is necessarie therefore that the examplers of the cælestials be cleansed with these. 1603 Daniel Panegyr. King xxiii, There, great examplar! prototype of kings! 1794 Paley Evid. (1825) II. 311 He could no longer have a living examplar to copy from. 1860 Thackeray Round. Papers, Nil nisi bonum 228 An examplar of goodness, probity, and pure life. |
† b. ? A deterrent example. Obs.
| [1560 see examplar a..] |
† 2. A book of (moral) examples. Obs. rare—1.
| 1483 Caxton G. de la Tour A ij, I tolde them that I wolde make a book and an examplayre for my doughters. |
3. † A copy, transcript (obs.). b. An exemplar (of a book), one of the ‘copies’ of which the edition consists.
| 1413 Lydg. Pilgr. Sowle iv. xxix. (1859) 62 Euery good kynge is preised by the exampler [Fr. lexemplaire], figure, or statua of his good condicion, and knowen therby, ryght as a man is knowen by his visage. c 1475 Partenay Prol. 131 That I ther take the exampleir wold Off a boke of his which that he had made. 1572 W. Malim in Hakluyt Voy. (1599) II. i. 121 With what paine and diligence, I referre me to them which are skilfull in the Italian tongue, or may the better iudge, if it please them to trie the same, casting aside this exampler. 1880 Academy 4 Sept. 163/1 Pamphlets existing in unique examplars. |
† 4. A piece of needlework containing examples of stitches, etc.: see sampler. Obs.
| 1530 Palsgr. 217/2 Exampler for a woman to worke by, exemple. 1583 Rich Phylotus & Emelia (1835) 13 She might goe seeke out her examplers, and to peruse whiche woorke would doe beste in a Ruffe. |
▪ II. † eˈxamplar, a. Obs.
Also 6 examplair.
[ad. OF. examplaire: see exemplar a.]
= exemplary in various senses: a. Serving or fitted to serve as an example, pattern, or model; b. ? Serving as a deterrent (quot. 1560; but this may be an instance of prec. n.).
| 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus ii. 819 To that falt [unchastity in a Vestal] is na grace, Bot eirdit quik, to the laif examplair. 1602 T. Fitzherbert Defence 8 Wee ad therto his religious lyfe, so examplar for all kynd of vertue. a 1631 Donne in Selections (1840) 26 Wash thyself in these three examplar baths of Christ's tears. |