exemplar

Archaic, ex·am·plar

[ig-zem-pler, -plahr]

noun

1. a model or pattern to be copied or imitated.

   Washington is the exemplar of patriotic virtue.

2. a typical example or instance.

3. an original or archetype.

   Plato thought nature but a copy of ideal exemplars.

4. a copy of a book or text.

exemplar

/ -plɑː, ɪɡˈzɛmplə /

noun

1. a person or thing to be copied or imitated; model

2. a typical specimen or instance; example

3. a copy of a book or text on which further printings have been based

Word History and Origins

Origin of exemplar¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin, variant of exemplāre, noun use of neuter of exemplāris “relating or pertaining to a model or pattern,” replacing Middle English exaumplere, from Middle French examplaire, from Latin exemplāris; exemplary

Word History and Origins

Origin of exemplar¹

C14: from Latin exemplarium model, from exemplum _example

Example Sentences

But it’s better about presenting Hemsworth as an example, not the exemplar, of what functional fitness can look like.

From Salon

He sees this plant as the exemplar of America First, and the preservation of economic and military superiority over China.

From BBC

He added: "I think we absolutely need people to be exemplars of the BBC values and follow our social media policy. It's as simple as that."

From BBC

Levi’s tennis partner, Cooper Schwartz, said in a post on Instagram that his friend was the “greatest work hard, play hard exemplar of all time.”

From Los Angeles Times

"Richard Nixon is typically considered the modern exemplar of a dark and vindictive president," Wilson wrote for The Daily Beast in 2016.

From Salon

Related Words

• epitome 
• paragon