Part 3998

<p><b>5.</b> <def>An instance serving for illustration of a rule or precept, especially a problem to be solved, or a case to be determined, as an exercise in the application of the rules of any study or branch of science; <as>as, in trigonometry and grammar, the principles and rules are illustrated by <ex>examples</ex></as>.</def>

<syn>Syn. -- Precedent; case; instance.</syn> <usage> -- <er>Example</er>, <er>Instance</er>. The discrimination to be made between these two words relates to cases in which we give "instances" or "examples" of things done. An <i>instance</i> denotes the single case then "standing" before us; if there be others like it, the word does not express this fact. On the contrary, an <i>example</i> is one of an entire class of like things, and should be a true representative or <i>sample</i> of that class. Hence, an <i>example</i> proves a rule or regular course of things; an <i>instance</i> simply points out what may be true only in the case presented. A man's life may be filled up with <i>examples</i> of the self-command and kindness which marked his character, and may present only a solitary <i>instance</i> of haste or severity. Hence, the word "example" should never be used to describe what stands singly and alone. We do, however, sometimes apply the word <i>instance</i> to what is really an <i>example</i>, because we are not thinking of the latter under this aspect, but solely as a case which "stands before us." See <er>Precedent</er>.</usage>

<h1>Example</h1> <Xpage=519>

<hw>Ex*am"ple</hw>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Exampled</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Exampling</er> <tt>(?)</tt>.]</wordforms> <def>To set an example for; to give a precedent for; to exemplify; to give an instance of; to instance.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark> "I may <i>example</i> my digression by some mighty precedent."

<i>Shak.</i>

<blockquote>Burke devoted himself to this duty with a fervid assiduity that has not often been <b>exampled</b>, and has never been surpassed. <i>J. Morley.</i></blockquote>

<h1>Exampleless</h1> <Xpage=519>

<hw>Ex*am"ple*less</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Without or above example.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<h1>Exampler</h1> <Xpage=519>

<hw>Ex*am"pler</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[See <er>Exemplar</er>, <er>Example</er>, and cf. <er>Sampler</er>.]</ety> <def>A pattern; an exemplar.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Exampless</h1> <Xpage=519>

<hw>Ex*am"pless</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Exampleless. [Wrongly formed.]</def>

<i>B. Jonson.</i>

<h1>Exanguious</h1> <Xpage=519>

<hw>Ex*an"gui*ous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Bloodless. <mark>[Obs.]</mark> See <er>Exsanguious</er>.</def>

<i>Sir T. Browne.</i>

<h1>Exangulous</h1> <Xpage=519>

<hw>Ex*an"gu*lous</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[Pref <ets>ex-</ets> + <ets>angulous</ets>.]</ety> <def>Having no corners; without angles.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<h1>Exanimate</h1> <Xpage=519>

<hw>Ex*an"i*mate</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>exanimatus</ets>, p. p. of <ets>exanimare</ets> to deprive of life or spirit; <ets>ex</ets> out + <ets>anima</ets> air, breath, life, spirit.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>Lifeless; dead.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark> "Carcasses <i>exanimate</i>."

<i>Spenser.</i>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Destitute of animation; spiritless; disheartened.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark> "Pale . . . wretch, <i>exanimate</i> by love."

<i>Thomson.</i>

<h1>Exanimate</h1> <Xpage=519>

<hw>Ex*an"i*mate</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <def>To deprive of animation or of life.</def> <mark>[Obs.]</mark>

<h1>Exanimation</h1> <Xpage=519>

<hw>Ex*an`i*ma"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt><ety>[L. <ets>exanimatio</ets>.]</ety> <def>Deprivation of life or of spirits.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Bailey.</i>