Sample and Representative

sample

A small part of something intended as representative of the whole.
Items selected at random from a population and used to test hypotheses about the population.
- synonyms: sample distribution, sampling
All or part of a natural object that is collected and preserved as an example of its class.

Take a sample of.
- usage: "Try these new crackers"; "Sample the regional dishes"
- synonyms: try, try out, taste

(n.) Example; pattern.
(v.t.) To make or show something similar to; to match.
(v.t.) To take or to test a sample or samples of; as, to sample sugar, teas, wools, cloths.
(n.) A part of anything presented for inspection or shown as evidence of the quality of the whole; a specimen; as, goods are often purchased by samples.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

representative

A person who represents others.
An advocate who represents someone else's policy or purpose.
- usage: "the meeting was attended by spokespersons for all the major organs of government"
- synonyms: spokesperson, interpreter, voice
A member of the United States House of Representatives.
- synonyms: congressman, congresswoman
An item of information that is typical of a class or group.
- usage: "this patient provides a typical example of the syndrome"; "there is an example on page 10"
- synonyms: example, illustration, instance

Serving to represent or typify.
- usage: "representative moviegoers"; "a representative modern play"
Standing for something else.
- usage: "the bald eagle is representative of the United States"
Being or characteristic of government by representation in which citizens exercise power through elected officers and representatives.
- usage: "representative government as defined by Abraham Lincoln is government of the people, by the people, for the people"

(n.) One who or that which, represents (anything); that which exhibits a likeness or similitude.
(a.) Serving or fitted to present the full characters of the type of a group; typical; as, a representative genus in a family.
(n.) A species or variety which, in any region, takes the place of a similar one in another region.
(n.) An agent, deputy or substitute, who supplies the place of another or others, being invested with his or their authority.
(n.) That which presents the full character of the type of a group.
(a.) Bearing the character or power of another; acting for another or others; as, a council representative of the people.
(n.) A member of the lower or popular house in a State legislature or in the national Congress.
(a.) Giving or existing as, a transcript of what was originally presentative knowledge; as, representative faculties; representative knowledge. See Presentative, 3 and Represent, 8.
(a.) Fitted to represent; exhibiting a similitude.
(a.) Conducted by persons chosen to represent or act as deputies for, the people; as, a representative government.
(n.) One who represents or stands in the place of, another.
(a.) Similar in general appearance, structure, and habits, but living in different regions; -- said of certain species and varieties.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary