An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

One of a number of things, or a part of something, taken to show the character of the whole.

Etymology (EN): From O.Fr. essample, from L. exemplum “a sample,” literally “that which is taken out,” from eximere “to take out, remove,” from → ex-

• emere “to obtain, buy,” originally “to take,” from PIE base *em- “to take” (cf. Av. yam-, yās- “to hold, take hold of,” apayeiti (with apa) “taking away a thing from;” O.Pers. āyasa- “to take as one’s own;” Skt. yam- “to hold, sustain,” yamati “holds, subdues;” O.C.S. imo “to take;” Lith. imti, ima, émé “to take”).

Etymology (PE): Nemuné, from nemun “index; guide,” from nemudan “to show, display,” from Mid.Pers. nimūdan, from ne- “down; into;” O.Pers./Av. ni- “down; below; into,” → ni-, + mun, Av. māy- “to measure,” → display.