example Copy link Outline 1. exemplum (an illustration, specimen, precedent)2. exemplar, āris, n. (a pattern or original set before one)3. dŏcŭmentum (anything to learn from) • example: 1. exemplum (an illustration, specimen, precedent): to offer e.s for imitation, exempla proponere ad imitandum, Cic.: to set an e., ex. praebere, Sall. (or.): to do injury by one's e., exemplo nocere, Cic.: by way of e. (i. e. illustration by a particular case). exempli causâ, Cic. Mur. 12, 27; ex. gratiâ, Quint. See also precedent (subs.). 2. exemplar, āris, n. (a pattern or original set before one): used syn. with exemplum in Cic. Mur. 31, 66: v. pattern. 3. dŏcŭmentum (anything to learn from): an e. of virtue, d. virtutis, Cic. Rab. P. 10, 27: v. lesson. Phr.: for e., verbi causa (gratia), Cic. Verr. 2, 52, 129 (see also supr. 1); puta, ut puta (i. e. suppose, for instance), Sen. N. Q. 2, 2, 3 (not Cic.): sometimes ut alone may suffice: many philosophers committed suicide, as for e. Cato, *multi sibi mortem consciverunt philosophi, ut Cato (v. as).