English → Latin
“example” in Latin
exempluma sample, example; a warning example, deterrent; torture, exemplary penalty, chastisementexemplarmodel, pattern, example, original or ideal; copyauctōritāscredibility, prestige, reputation, importance; influence, weight, personal weight; power, ability, authoritydocumentumlesson; instruction; warningaliusother; another; any other; else; different
The English word example itself goes back to Latin ex, through exemplum.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
example
exemplum (an example out of many, chosen on account of its relative aptness for a certain end): exemplar (means an example before others, chosen on account of its absolute aptness to represent the idea of a whole species; a model): auctoritas (example from the conduct of an eminent person): documentum (an instructive and warning example). To take anybody for one’s example, exemplum (sibi) petere ab aliquo; exemplum capere de aliquo; exemplum sumere ex aliquo, with which sibi may be used (all Cic.). To set an example, exemplum praebere: to seta bad example, periculosam exempli imitationem (aliis, reliquis) prodere; mali (pessimi, etc.) esse exempli: to follow anybody’s example, sequi alicujus exemplum or auctoritatem; uti aliquo auctore; in any thing, aliquem ducem sequi in re. To confirm anything by an example, exemplo confirmare aliquid. To propose an example for imitation, proponere alicui exemplum ad imitandum. To fashion one’s self after anybody’s example, se formare ad mores alicujus. To turn anybody’s example against himself, suum ipsius exemplum in eum vertere (Liv. 7, 28).
As for example; for example, ut, velut (not referring to a verb, but introducing single names, words, etc.; e.g., a dislike to women, as, for example, that of Timon, of Hippolytus, etc., ut Timonis, ut Hippolyti). For example, exempli causa or gratia: ut exemplo utar (when “for example” means “for the purpose of giving an example” [a fact, a statement, etc.] ; e.g., aliquos exempli causa nominare: nomen aliquod exempli causa invenire, afferre): verbi causa, verbi gratia (to explain a preceding expression): vel (= αὐτίκα,” to go no further, but take the first instance that occurs,” Pr. Intr., ii. 542). As, for example, when we laugh, ut cum ridemus. Sometimes “for example” is translated by in his (when a special instance or some special instances of a general assertion are produced).
Penal example, exemplum (supplicii). To make an example, exemplum severitatis statuere; of anybody, exemplum in aliquo statuere or in aliquem edere: constituere: to make an example for the purpose of terrifying the others, exemplo supplicii ceteros deterrere.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for example?
- The usual Latin words for “example” are exemplum, exemplar, auctōritās; also documentum, alius. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.