ensample

plural ensamples

1. archaicAn example; a pattern or model for imitation.

   1662 Book of Common Prayer, Collect for the Second Sunday after Easter Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life:

   4 more examples

   Being ensamples to the flock.

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, 1 Peter 5:3

   The bold ensample of their father's might / Their weapons whetted and their wrath increas'd.

   1600, Edward Fairfax, The Jerusalem Delivered of Tasso, Book IX, xxviii

   I hope that it may be taken by all of us as a lesson, and an ensample, and a teaching of the Lord's mercy.

   1861, Anthony Trollope, Framley Parsonage

   1899, Dante Gabriel Rossetti (transl.), The New Life (La Vita Nuova) of Dante Alighieri, Siddall edition, page 111. By which ensamples this thing shall be made manifest unto such as may be offended at any part of this my book.

present singular third person ensamples · participle present ensampling · participle past ensampled · past ensampled

1. obsoleteTo exemplify, to show by example.