exemple

n. m. 'example'

From Classical Latin 'exemplum', meaning 'example, sample'.

Etymon

Example, model, instance; something to be imitated or avoided

Historical Pronunciation

2000 - Mod. Fr.
[ɛɡzɑ̃pl]
1500 - Cl. Fr.
[ɛksɑ̃plə]
1200 - Mid. Fr.
[eksɑ̃mplə]
900 - Old Fr.
[eksemple]
300 - L. Lat.
[eksemplum]

Note: This is a template entry demonstrating all available features.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.

Historical Development

Sound Changes

  1. Loss of final -um (L. Lat. → Old Fr.)

    • exemplum → example
    • Common in Latin neuter nouns entering French

  2. Nasalization (Old Fr. → Mid. Fr.)

    • exemple → exẽple
    • Vowel before nasal consonant becomes nasalized

  3. Simplification (Mid. Fr. → Mod. Fr.)

    • Cluster /ks/ retained in spelling but simplified in speech
    • Final schwa dropped

Semantic Evolution

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet:

  • 12th century: Primarily religious/moral usage
  • 15th century: Extended to general illustrations
  • 18th century: Scientific and technical applications
  • Modern: Ubiquitous in education and documentation

Common Expressions

French English
par exemple for example
donner l'exemple to set an example
suivre l'exemple to follow the example
exemple à suivre example to follow
sans exemple unprecedented

Usage Notes

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Register

  • Formal: à titre d'exemple (by way of example)
  • Informal: genre (like, for example)
  • Written: exempli gratia (e.g.) - Latin abbreviation still used
  • exemplaire (adj.) - exemplary
  • exemplifier (v.) - to exemplify
  • contre-exemple (n. m.) - counterexample

Cross-References

See also: modèle, échantillon, spécimen

Latin Root

exemplum