Definition of: sample

(sam′pəl) noun
A portion, part, or piece taken or shown as a representative of the whole.
—v.t. ·pled, ·pling To test or examine by means of a portion or sample. [ME, aphetic var. of asample <OF essample EXAMPLE] Synonyms (noun): case, example, exemplification, illustration, instance, specimen, A sample is a portion taken at random out of a quantity supposed to be homogeneous, so that the qualities found in the sample may reasonably be expected to be found in the whole; as, a sample of sugar, a sample of cloth. A specimen is one unit of a series, or a fragment of a mass, all of which is supposed to possess the same essential qualities; as, a specimen of coinage, or of quartz. No other unit or portion may be exactly like the specimen, while all the rest is supposed to be exactly like the sample. An instance is a sample or specimen of action. See EXAMPLE.