ensample
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of ensample
1200–50; Middle English < Old French, variant ( en- en- 1 replacing es- ) of essample < Old French < Latin exemplum example
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Arguing that "mankind cannot be made good under compulsion," he quoted against Prohibition Chaucer's reference to the village parson: To drawen folk to heven by fairnesse By good ensample, this way his bisy-nesse.
From Time Magazine Archive
![]()
Amongst the lives of the ancient Fathers, wherein may be found much profitable matter, this story is told for a true ensample.
From Aucassin & Nicolette And Other Mediaeval Romances and Legends by Mason, Eugene
And he was an ensample to young men which should be fain, by hard swinking, to stuff their pates with as much high learning and occult lore as he had under his own bonnet.
From The Merrie Tales of Jacques Tournebroche And Child Life in Town and Country by Allinson, A. R. (Alfred Richard)
Our morning walk in his garden will serve as an ensample.
From The Span o' Life A Tale of Louisbourg & Quebec by McIlwraith, Jean Newton
Neither stripes nor teachinges in tyme could conuert, wherefore an ensample let me to you be, And all that be present, nowe praye you for me.
From The Rogues and Vagabonds of Shakespeare's Youth Awdeley's 'Fraternitye of vacabondes' and Harman's 'Caveat' by Awdeley, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.