Sample (?), n. [OE. sample, asaumple, OF. essample, example, fr. L. exemplum. See Example, and cf. Ensample, Sampler.] 1. Example; pattern. [Obs.] Spenser. “A sample to the youngest.” Shak.
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Thus he concludes, and every hardy knight
His sample followed. Fairfax.
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2. A part of anything presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen; as, goods are often purchased by samples.
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I design this but for a sample of what I hope more fully to discuss. Woodward.
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Syn. -- Specimen; example. See Specimen.
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