n. 1. One who is employed to take and appraise samples, as of a food product. 2. A mechanical device that is used to obtain and analyze samples. 3. A decorative piece of cloth embroidered with various designs or mottoes in a variety of stitches, serving as an example of skill at needlework. 4. a. A representative collection or selection: a sampler of American short-story writers. b. A variety; an assortment. 5. An electronic device used to copy and digitally manipulate a segment from an audio recording for use in a new recording. [Senses 3 and 4, partly Middle English, model (from Anglo-Norman *essamplur) and partly short for Middle English ensampler (from Anglo-Norman ensamplour), both from Late Latin exemplārium, model, copy, from Latin, copy; see EXEMPLAR.] |
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