c. 1300, "something which confirms a proposition or statement," from Anglo-French saumple, a shortening of Old French essample, from Latin exemplum "a sample" (see example). Meaning "small quantity (of something) from which the general quality (of the whole) may be inferred" (usually in a commercial sense) is recorded from early 15c.; sense of "specimen for scientific sampling" is from 1878. As an adjective from 1820.
sample (v.)
"to test by taking a sample," 1767, from sample (n.). Earlier "to be a match for" (1590s). Related: Sampled; sampling.
实用例句
1. These figures were often spuriously computed by selecting particularly favorable sample groups.
这些数字往往是用错误的方法计算出来的,所用的都是特别挑选出来的对自己有利的样本组。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The sample was selected from the medical records of two general practices.