| 词组 | exemplary |
| 释义 | exemplary Exemplary is etymologically related to example, and its fundamental meaning is "serving as an example or pattern." More often than not, it describes something praiseworthy and has the sense "deserving imitation:" • ... with exemplary tact and discretion —George F. Kennan, New Yorker, 1 May 1971 • ... every exemplary act of bravery —Marge Piercy, N.Y. Times Book Rev., 23 May 1976 But it can also be used in neutral contexts: • ... presents exemplary details and sums up over large areas —John Hollander, Harper's, March 1971 And even, on occasion, in negative ones: • ... faithfully mirroring the work's exemplary mediocrity —John Simon, New York, 7 Feb. 1972 The meaning here seems to be something like "quintessential." Commentators have sometimes warned against using exemplary as if it were simply a synonym of excellent, but clear-cut instances of such usage are hard to come by. When exemplary describes something excellent, as it often does, it seems always to carry the further suggestion that the thing described, because of its excellence, is worthy of imitation. The usage disliked by the commentators is presumably in such contexts as the following: • An otherwise exemplary twelve-ounce prime sirloin steak —Jay Jacobs, Gourmet, December 1982 • ... they serve exemplary pastries —George V. Hig-gins, N. Y. Times Mag., 9 Oct. 1983 Such usage is atypical, but it is not actually incorrect. Exemplary is a stronger word (if not a better-chosen word) than excellent, even when it only describes a pastry. |
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