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exemplum

exemplum

9.9
A story, person, or thing that people copy to learn good behavior
  • noun
  • /ɪɡˈzɛmpləm/
translation icon : ejemplo
  • Matilda was considered an exemplum of virtue, inspiring many with her piety and generosity.

Tom Quam is sort of a, you know, de intensification tells you well, sort of it's not exactly an image of the self exemplum, right?

Examples

  • Steinem (1992) cited Jane Eyre as an exemplum of the independent woman, secure in who she is and confident enough to hold out for a better life.

    Academic text (1995)
  • For all of these reasons, the integrated curriculum model offers a cogent exemplum for curriculum design and development for gifted learners.

    Academic text (1995)
  • His concept of representation can therefore be looked upon more as a rhetorical exemplum.

    Academic text (1996)
  • In both cases, Rome is a remote and fundamentally unlifelike object of symbolic value, an exemplum.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Chaste, pious, generous, and wise, Matilda was considered an exemplum of her sex.

    Academic text (1999)
  • In her will, Lucrezia cited Matilda as an exemplum for prayers of suffrage.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The "inextricability" of the two stories proposes the one, Berlioz's, as an exemplum of the other, Bidart's.

    Academic text (2001)
  • However, Goya's painting inverts the notion of the exemplum virtutis, providing an example to be avoided rather than one to be followed.

    Academic text (1998)
  • In fact, in this exemplum, the Collyers serve as foils to Day's longtime mentor, Peter Maurin, a fellow Roman Catholic social activist who embraced a life of voluntary poverty.

    Academic text (2016)
  • Lucrezia's imitatio was testimony to Matilda's efficacy as an exemplum who inspired reverence and liberality.

    Academic text (1999)

Synonyms

model
vsexemplum
569 3.4

A person or thing that others copy because they are a good example

is the broader idea about being imitated or learned from
example
vsexemplum
515 1.0

A person or thing to copy because they do something good

is the same idea but as an alternate form
prototype
vsexemplum
184 4.6

A first model or typical example that others are based on

is a teaching model for learning rather than an initial design
good example
vsexemplum
111 1.4

A person or thing that others should copy

is the basic notion used to teach or guide behavior
epitome
vsexemplum
30 7.4

A perfect example of a person or thing that shows a certain quality

is a practical teaching model rather than an ideal representative
exemplar
vsexemplum
16 7.2

A person or thing that shows very good behavior for others to copy

is the basic teaching idea used for learning rather than high quality

Antonyms

9.9

A person or thing that is the direct opposite of another

How Exemplary

paragon
  • Formal
18 7.8
exemplar
16 7.2
exemplum
9.9
model
569 3.4
example
34 1.0

Surface Forms

exemplum singular
exempla plural

Etymology

Exemplum comes from Latin exemplum, meaning 'example', and is related to the English words example and exemplary. It originally meant a person or thing to be copied or learned from, so an exemplum is something that serves as a model to follow.