[a. AF. exemplification, ad. med.L. exemplificātiōn-em, n. of action f. exemplificāre: see EXEMPLIFY.]
1. The action of exemplifying; showing or illustrating by example; an instance of this. In exemplification of: so as to exemplify.
1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., an. 22. For the more exemplification of the same, he sent the Lorde de Roche with letters of credence.
1631. Gouge, God’s Arrows, III. § 1. 179. Before the particular exemplification of the foresaid promise, the Issue thereof is inserted.
1779–81. Johnson, L. P., Addison, Wks. III. 87. The mention of another like consequence from a like cause … is not a simile, but an exemplification.
1809. Coleridge, Friend (1865), 20. So much in proof and exemplification of the probable expediency of pious deception.
1864. Burton, Scot. Abr., II. i. 60. In exemplification of some of the recondite principles laid down.
2. That which exemplifies, or serves as an illustration of a law, general principle, statement, etc.
1582. G. Martin, in Fulke’s Defence (1843), 490. As is plain by the exemplification immediately following, of king, and dukes, and other sent or appointed by him.
1650. Elderfield, Tythes, 310. Let thy life be … a counterpart or exemplification of thy book of religion.
1798. Malthus, Popul. (1817), I. 52. An exemplification of the obvious truth, that population cannot increase without the food to support it.
1865. Grote, Plato, I. ii. 379. Particular exemplifications of the Beautiful, substituted in place of the general concept.
3. An attested copy or transcript of a record, deed, etc.
[1382. Act 1 Rich. II., c. 4. Quodque exemplificaciones illæ … ejusdem sint vigoris … sicut … munimenta illa forent.
1429. Act 8 Hen. VI., c. 12. Saunz ascun rasure en une mesme lieu en mesme lexemplification & lenrollement.]
1542–3. Act 34–5 Hen. VIII., c. 27 § 39. Euery exemplificacion vpon any recorde … shall be sealed with the Kinges iudiciall seale.
1653. in Somers, Tracts (1795), II. 538. To the Masters of the Chancery for examining every Skin of an Exemplification of a Record.
1767. T. Hutchinson, Hist. Prov. Mass., ii. 212. An exemplification of Burgess’s commission was obtained.
1884. Roscoe’s Law of Evidence (ed. 15), 91. An exemplification produced from the proper custody … is evidence.
† 4. ? A setting forth at length. Obs.
1588. J. H[arvey], Disc. Probleme, 54. But which of them were the originall record of the maker, or phantastical exemplification of the writer … it is to little purpose to know.
Hence Exemplificational a., of or pertaining to exemplification.
1826. Bentham, in Westm. Rev., V. 498. Case to which the exemplificational [shape of a code] more particularly applies, that of an as yet only proposed code.
