exemplum

the word 'exemplum' entered english directly from latin, where it meant "a sample, pattern, or model." it is built upon the verb eximere, meaning "to take out, remove, or select," which itself is a compound of ex- ("out") and emere ("to take"). the underlying logic is that an example is something "taken out" from a larger group for the purpose of demonstration or imitation. this latin term is the direct ancestor of the more common english word 'example,' with 'exemplum' retaining a more specialized, often academic or rhetorical sense, particularly denoting an anecdote used to illustrate a point or teach a lesson.

Structure: ex (out) + empl (take) + um (noun suffix) - ex: latin origin, meaning "out of, from". a prefix indicating source or separation. - empl: from latin emere (to take, buy), via its supine stem empt- and related forms. in this word, it represents the concept of "taking out" or "selecting". - um: latin origin, a neuter noun suffix used to form concrete or abstract nouns.