n. [ OE. sample, asaumple, OF. essample, example, fr. L. exemplum. See Example, and cf. Ensample, Sampler. ] 1. Example; pattern. [ Obs. ] Spenser. “A sample to the youngest.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Thus he concludes, and every hardy knight
His sample followed. Fairfax. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A part of anything presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen; as, goods are often purchased by samples. [ 1913 Webster ]

I design this but for a sample of what I hope more fully to discuss. Woodward. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Specimen; example. See Specimen. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To make or show something similar to; to match. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To take or to test a sample or samples of; as, to sample sugar, teas, wools, cloths. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Exampler, Exemplar. ] 1. One who makes up samples for inspection; one who examines samples, or by samples; as, a wool sampler. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A pattern; a specimen; especially, a collection of needlework patterns, as letters, borders, etc., to be used as samples, or to display the skill of the worker. [ 1913 Webster ]

Susie dear, bring your sampler and Mrs. Schumann will show you how to make that W you bothered over. E. E. Hale. [ 1913 Webster ]