1.  sample(n = noun.cognition) Array - a small part of something intended as representative of the whole; Array
is a kind of example, illustration, instance, representative
has particulars: coupon, cross section, grab sample, random sample, tasting
Derived form verb sample₁

2.  sample(n = noun.cognition) sample distribution, sampling - items selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population; Array
is a kind of distribution, statistical distribution
has particulars: acceptance sampling, random sample, proportional sample, representative sample, stratified sample

3.  sample(n = noun.object) Array - all or part of a natural object that is collected and preserved as an example of its class; Array
is a kind of natural object
has particulars: specimen, core

   sample(v = verb.consumption) taste, try, try out - take a sample of; "Try these new crackers"; "Sample the regional dishes"
is one way to consume, have, ingest, take, take in
Derived forms noun sample₁, noun sampler₄, noun sampler₃, noun sampler₂
Sample sentences: They sample more bread; The chefs sample the vegetables

1.  Example; pattern. [1913 Webster]
"Thus he concludes, and every hardy knight
His sample followed." [1913 Webster]

2.  A part of anything presented for inspection, or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen; as, goods are often purchased by samples. [1913 Webster]
"I design this but for a sample of what I hope more fully to discuss." [1913 Webster]

1.  To make or show something similar to; to match. Bp. Hall. [1913 Webster]

2.  To take or to test a sample or samples of; as, to sample sugar, teas, wools, cloths. [1913 Webster]

sample, n. & v.
--n.
1 a small part or quantity intended to show what the whole is like.
2 a small amount of fabric, food, or other commodity, esp. given to a prospective customer.
3 a specimen, esp. one taken for scientific testing or analysis.
4 an illustrative or typical example.
--v.tr.
1 take or give samples of.
2 try the qualities of.
3 get a representative experience of.

Idiom:
sample bag Austral. an (orig. free) bag of advertisers' samples.

Etymology:
ME f. AF assample, OF essample EXAMPLE

N  conformity, conformance, observance, habituation, naturalization, conventionality, agreement, example, instance, specimen, sample, quotation, exemplification, illustration, case in point, object lesson, elucidation, standard, model, pattern, rule, nature, principle, law, order of things, normal state, natural state, ordinary state, model state, normal condition, natural condition, ordinary condition, model condition, standing dish, standing order, Procrustean law, law of the Medes and Persians, hard and fast rule, conformable to rule, regular, according to regulation, according to rule, according to Hoyle, according to Cocker, according to Gunter, en regle, selon les regles, well regulated, orderly, symmetric, conventional, of daily occurrence, of everyday occurrence, in the natural order of things, ordinary, common, habitual, usual, everyday, workaday, in the order of the day, naturalized, typical, normal, nominal, formal, canonical, orthodox, sound, strict, rigid, positive, uncompromising, Procrustean, secundum artem, shipshape, technical, exempIe, illustrative, in point, conformably, by rule, agreeably to, in conformity with, in accordance with, in keeping with, according to, consistently with, as usual, ad instar, instar omnium, more solito, more-majorum, for the sake of conformity, as a matter of course, of course, pro forma, for form's sake, by the card, invariably, for example, exempli gratia, e, g, inter alia, among other things, for instance, cela va sans dire, ex pede Herculem, noscitur a sociis, ne e quovis ligno Mercurius fiat, they are happy men whose natures sort with their v, The nail that sticks up hammered down, Tall poppy syndrome, Stick your neck out and it may get cut off.

grab sample, proportional sample, random sample, representative sample, sample distribution, stratified sample