sampling
UK: ˈsɑːmplɪŋ | US: ˈsæmplɪŋ
n. 1. The process of taking a small, representative portion of something for analysis or testing.
n. 2. (Music) The technique of digitally extracting and reusing segments of recorded sound.
n. 3. (Statistics) The selection of a subset of individuals from a population to estimate characteristics of the whole group.
The word "sampling" derives from the Old French "essample" (later "sample"), meaning "an example or model," which itself comes from the Latin "exemplum." The suffix "-ing" is a productive English nominal suffix indicating an action or result. The term evolved in the 18th century to denote the act of taking a portion for testing, later expanding into statistics and music. The logic reflects the core idea of extracting a part to represent the whole.
The scientist conducted soil sampling to assess contamination levels.
Modern hip-hop often relies on sampling from vintage records.
Random sampling ensures unbiased results in surveys.
The lab requires careful sampling to avoid cross-contamination.
Her research involved sampling diverse cultural artifacts.