sam·pler / ˈsamplər/ • n. 1. a piece of embroidery worked in various stitches as a specimen of skill, typically containing the alphabet and some mottoes.2. a representative collection or example of something: a few superb samplers of West Indian dishes.3. a person or device that takes and analyzes samples. ∎  an electronic device for sampling music and sound.

sampler †example, pattern XIII; beginner's exercise in embroidery done on canvas XVI. Aphetic — OF. essamplaire, var. of essemplaire EXEMPLAR.