exemplaris

Exemplaris is a Latin adjective meaning exemplary or pertaining to an example. It derives from exemplum, meaning “example,” with the suffix -aris used to form adjectives of relation. In classical Latin, exemplaris is used to describe a model or standard, for instance in phrases that convey the sense of “an exemplary custom” or “a model behavior.” The form is declined like other adjectives of the -aris type, with agreement in gender, number, and case to the noun it modifies.

In taxonomy, Latin adjectives are commonly used as specific epithets in scientific names. Exemplaris may appear as a species epithet to signal that a particular specimen or taxon is treated as a representative model or reference, though the exact usage depends on the genus and its grammatical gender. It is not fixed to a single taxon and can occur in different lineages where Latin naming conventions are applied.

In contemporary contexts, exemplaris can appear in scholarly Latin writings and in titles to denote a standard, model, or exemplary case. Outside strictly linguistic usage, the term may be encountered in legal, philosophical, or educational discussions to describe practices, methods, or cases that are held up as benchmarks.

Related terms include exemplum (an example or model) and exemplar (a person or thing that serves as a model). As with many Latin adjectives used in modern writing, exact meaning and form depend on grammatical context, so consulting a Latin dictionary or grammatical guide can clarify specific appearances in a given text.