1. Plural of exemplum; illustrative stories, anecdotes, or examples used to teach a moral or religious lesson, especially in medieval literature and preaching.
Usage: Formal or academic usage; Often used in historical and literary contexts

Examples

• Medieval preachers used exempla to convey moral lessons to their congregations.
• The collection of exempla in this manuscript dates back to the 13th century.
• Scholars study exempla to understand how religious instruction was delivered in the Middle Ages.
• The bishop included several exempla in his sermon to illustrate the virtue of charity.
• These exempla served as memorable teaching tools for both clergy and laity.