The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Example \Ex*am"ple\, n. [A later form for ensample, fr. L.
   exemplum, orig., what is taken out of a larger quantity, as a
   sample, from eximere to take out. See Exempt, and cf.
   Ensample, Sample.]
   1. One or a portion taken to show the character or quality of
      the whole; a sample; a specimen.
      [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.
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   3. That which resembles or corresponds with something else; a
      precedent; a model.
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            Such temperate order in so fierce a cause
            Doth want example.                    --Shak.
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   4. That which is to be avoided; one selected for punishment
      and to serve as a warning; a warning.
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            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.
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   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.

   Usage: 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]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Example \Ex*am"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Exampled; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Exampling.]
   To set an example for; to give a precedent for; to exemplify;
   to give an instance of; to instance. [Obs.] "I may example my
   digression by some mighty precedent." --Shak.
   [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]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

example
    n 1: an item of information that is typical of a class or group;
         "this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome";
         "there is an example on page 10" [syn: example,
         illustration, instance, representative]
    2: a representative form or pattern; "I profited from his
       example" [syn: model, example]
    3: something to be imitated; "an exemplar of success"; "a model
       of clarity"; "he is the very model of a modern major general"
       [syn: exemplar, example, model, good example]
    4: punishment intended as a warning to others; "they decided to
       make an example of him" [syn: example, deterrent example,
       lesson, object lesson]
    5: an occurrence of something; "it was a case of bad judgment";
       "another instance occurred yesterday"; "but there is always
       the famous example of the Smiths" [syn: case, instance,
       example]
    6: a task performed or problem solved in order to develop skill
       or understanding; "you must work the examples at the end of
       each chapter in the textbook" [syn: exercise, example]

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

77 Moby Thesaurus words for "example":
   admonishment, admonition, alarm, archetype, as an example,
   benchmark, call to mind, case, case in point, caution, caveat,
   citation, cite, cite a particular, criterion, cross reference,
   cross section, demonstrate, demonstration, deterrent example,
   document, emblem, embodiment, exemplar, exempli gratia,
   exemplification, exemplify, explanation, exponent, final notice,
   final warning, for example, for instance, give a for-instance,
   hint, illustrate, illustration, instance, item, itemize, lesson,
   little bite, little smack, model, monition, moral, name, norm,
   notice, notification, object lesson, particular, particularize,
   pattern, prototype, quotation, quote, reference, relevant instance,
   representation, representative, sample, specimen, standard, symbol,
   taste, taster, threat, tip-off, to illustrate, type,
   typical example, typification, ultimatum, verbum sapienti, warning,
   warning piece



Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary:

Example
   of Christ (1 Pet. 2:21; John 13:15); of pastors to their flocks
   (Phil. 3:17; 2 Thess. 3:9; 1 Tim. 4:12; 1 Pet. 5:3); of the Jews
   as a warning (Heb. 4:11); of the prophets as suffering
   affliction (James 5:10).


Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

EXAMPLE. An example is a case put to illustrate a. principle. Examples
illustrate, but do not restrain or change the laws: illustrant non
restringunt legem. Co. Litt. 24, a.