prototype

prototype
    n 1: a standard or typical example; "he is the prototype of good
         breeding"; "he provided America with an image of the good
         father" [syn: {prototype}, {paradigm}, {epitome}, {image}]
    

Prototype \Pro"to*type\, n. [F., from L. prototypus original,
   primitive, Gr. ?, ?; ? first + ? type, model. See {Proto-},
   and {Type}]
   An original or model after which anything is copied; the
   pattern of anything to be engraved, or otherwise copied,
   cast, or the like; a primary form; exemplar; archetype.
   [1913 Webster]

         They will turn their backs on it, like their great
         precursor and prototype.                 --Burke.
   [1913 Webster]
    

115 Moby Thesaurus words for "prototype":
      Geistesgeschichte, Hegelian idea, Kantian idea, Platonic form,
      Platonic idea, aesthetic form, analogue, ancestor, antecedent,
      antetype, antitype, archetype, art form, biotype, build, cast,
      classic, classic example, complex idea, configuration,
      conformation, criterion, cut, epitome, eternal object,
      eternal universal, example, exemplar, fashion, figuration, figure,
      first, foregoer, form, formal cause, format, formation, frame,
      fugleman, fugler, genotype, genre, highest category,
      history of ideas, ideal, idealism, ideate, ideatum, idee-force,
      illustration, imitatee, impression, innate idea, inner form,
      innovation, instance, layout, lead, make, makeup, masterpiece,
      masterwork, matrix, metaphor, mirror, modality, mode, model, mold,
      mould, new departure, noosphere, norm, noumenon, original,
      paradigm, paragon, pattern, pattern of perfection, percept,
      pilot model, precedent, precursor, predecessor, quintessence,
      referent, regulative first principle, representative, rule, sample,
      set, shape, significant form, simple idea, stamp, standard,
      structure, style, subsistent form, the Absolute, the Absolute Idea,
      the Self-determined, the realized ideal, transcendent idea,
      transcendent nonempirical concept, transcendent universal, turn,
      type, type species, type specimen, universal, universal concept,
      universal essence, urtext, very model