sample

Where does the word "sample" come from? It comes from Latin exemplum, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Sample’s story begins in Latin: exemplum meant “example.” From 'eximere', to take out, the root of 'example'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as essample. Anglo-French shortened it. It reached English by 1200s as sample. Musical 'sampling' dates from the 1980s. Today, sample means a small part showing what the whole is like.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient exemplum "example", from 'eximere', to take out, the root of 'example'.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval essample "example", Anglo-French shortened it.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s sample "example", musical 'sampling' dates from the 1980s.