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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Example, Exampill, n. Also: exampyll, -pell. [ME. example (15th c.), exsaumple, OF. example. Cf. Exemple.]

1. An example; a typical or signal instance; a guide to conduct.(a) 1456 Hay I. 81/29.
Suppos thai be starkare … as was be example of David and Golyas Ib. 105/22, etc.
Of this we have a clere example 1492 Myll Spect. 271.
The sevynt part schawis [etc.] … with gret examplis allegit thare apon c1515 Asl. MS. I. 172/12.
Him self is the myrrour & example of velany 1535 Stewart 27616.
This suith example … I verifie ma richt weill by the Britis a1585 Maitl. Q. xliv. 57.
Ane thousand sic examples [F. exempillis] I could schaw(b) ?1438 Alex. Col. 22.
Ȝe … May sumdeill by exampill leir To lufe vertew attour all thing 1490 Irland Mir. I. 11/33.
King Dauid … was a meroure and exampill of wertu to all princis c1500-c1512 Dunb. lx. 30 (M).
Sum causles clekis till him ane cowll, … And he him selff exampill of vys 1528 Lynd. Dreme 1074.
Be exampyll to thy peple all, Exersing verteous deidis honorabyll a1578 Pitsc. I. 39/5.
They that ar placeit abone wtheris as ane perfytt exampill of administration of equitie 1585 T. Hudson Maitl. F. clxxxi. 13.
A rair exampill set for ws to sie Quhat we have beine … and aucht to be

2. In phrases: a. To tak example. 1456 Hay II. 98/24.
Sa that otheris tak example … to be mare dredand to brek the lawis 1490 Irland Mir. I. 11/31.
Thi hienes may tak exampil of noble king Dauid c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 507.
Thai … said thai suld exampill tak of her souerane teching a1578 Pitsc. II. 318/18.
All wratchis may tak example be this man nocht to hurd vp thair siluir

b. In example of, as a warning to. 1456 Hay II. 29/10.
Than is he unworthy for to lyve, bot to be punyst in example of otheris 1526 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 229.
The dome gevin agains him in example of vtheris to committ siclike inconuenientis 1563 Peebles B. Rec. 293.
Gif … ony nebor be conwik, that he be punesat in exampell of vtheris c1650 Spalding I. 42.
His bodie … set wp on examplarie places within the toun in example of vtheris to do the lyke