exemplary
Meaning
so good or typical that it should serve as a model to be imitated.
(of a punishment) serving as a warning or deterrent.
Structure
Usage
his exemplary conduct made him a role model for the younger students.
the company is known for its exemplary customer service.
the judge handed down an exemplary sentence to discourage similar crimes.
Etymology
the word 'exemplary' originates from the latin 'exemplaris', which itself derives from 'exemplum', meaning 'a sample, pattern, or model'. the root 'exemplum' is thought to come from 'eximere', meaning 'to take out, remove', suggesting the idea of something taken out as a representative specimen. the suffix '-ary' was added to form an adjective, a process adopted into middle english via old french. thus, the literal sense 'pertaining to a model' evolved into its modern meanings of being commendably typical or serving as a deterrent example.
Analysis
exempl (from latin 'exemplum', meaning 'sample, model, pattern'); ary (from latin '-aris', an adjective-forming suffix meaning 'pertaining to, connected with').