Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Exemplary \Ex"em*pla*ry\, a. [L. exemplaris, fr. exemplar: cf.
   F. exemplaire. See {Exemplar}.]
   1. Serving as a pattern; deserving to be proposed for
      imitation; commendable; as, an exemplary person; exemplary
      conduct.

            [Bishops'] lives and doctrines ought to be
            exemplary.                            --Bacon.

   2. Serving as a warning; monitory; as, exemplary justice,
      punishment, or damages.

   3. Illustrating as the proof of a thing. --Fuller.

   {Exemplary damages}. (Law) See under {Damage}.

Exemplary \Ex"em*pla*ry\, n.
   An exemplar; also, a copy of a book or writing. [Obs.]
   --Donne.

Source : WordNet®

exemplary
     adj 1: worthy of imitation; "exemplary behavior"; "model citizens"
            [syn: {model(a)}]
     2: being or serving as an illustration of a type; "the free
        discussion that is emblematic of democracy"; "an action
        exemplary of his conduct"; [syn: {emblematic}, {typic}]
     3: serving to warn; "shook a monitory finger at him"; "an
        exemplary jail sentence" [syn: {admonitory}, {cautionary},
         {monitory}, {warning(a)}]