All the people in that ample house
Did to that image bow their humble knees. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fully sufficient; abundant; liberal; copious; as, an ample fortune; ample justice. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Not contracted of brief; not concise; extended; diffusive; as, an ample narrative. Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Full; spacious; extensive; wide; capacious; abundant; plentiful; plenteous; copious; bountiful; rich; liberal; munificent. -- Ample, Copious, Abundant, Plenteous. These words agree in representing a thing as large, but under different relations, according to the image which is used. Ample implies largeness, producing a sufficiency or fullness of supply for every want; as, ample stores or resources, ample provision. Copious carries with it the idea of flow, or of collection at a single point; as, a copious supply of materials. “Copious matter of my song.” Milton. Abundant and plenteous refer to largeness of quantity; as, abundant stores; plenteous harvests. [ 1913 Webster ]

An humble amplexation of those sacred feet. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

Being ensamples to the flock. 1 Pet. v. 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is to be followed or imitated as a model; a pattern or copy. [ 1913 Webster ]

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. John xiii. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]

I gave, thou sayest, the example; I led the way. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. That which resembles or corresponds with something else; a precedent; a model. [ 1913 Webster ]

Such temperate order in so fierce a cause
Doth want example. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That which is to be avoided; one selected for punishment and to serve as a warning; a warning. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hang him; he'll be made an example. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Now these things were our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 1 Cor. x. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. 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, in trigonometry and grammar, the principles and rules are illustrated by examples.

Syn. -- Precedent; case; instance. -- Example, Instance. The discrimination to be made between these two words relates to cases in which we give “instances” or “examples” of things done. An instance 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 example is one of an entire class of like things, and should be a true representative or sample of that class. Hence, an example proves a rule or regular course of things; an instance simply points out what may be true only in the case presented. A man's life may be filled up with examples of the self-command and kindness which marked his character, and may present only a solitary instance 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 instance to what is really an example, because we are not thinking of the latter under this aspect, but solely as a case which “stands before us.” See Precedent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Burke devoted himself to this duty with a fervid assiduity that has not often been exampled, and has never been surpassed. J. Morley. [ 1913 Webster ]

Your ladies' eyes are lampless to that virtue. Beau. & Fl. [ 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 ]

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

2. To tread in contempt; -- with on or upon. [ 1913 Webster ]

Diogenes trampled on Plato's pride with greater of his own. Gov. of Tongue. [ 1913 Webster ]

The huddling trample of a drove of sheep. Lowell. [ 1913 Webster ]

Neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet. Matt. vii. 6. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Fig.: To treat with contempt and insult. Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]