happening, natural event, occurrence - an event that happens

humiliation, mortification - an instance in which you are caused to lose your prestige or self-respect; "he had to undergo one humiliation after another"

bit, piece - an instance of some kind; "it was a nice piece of work"; "he had a bit of good luck"

time, clip - an instance or single occasion for some event; "this time he succeeded"; "he called four times"; "he could do ten at a clip"

information - knowledge acquired through study or experience or instruction

apology, excuse - a poor example; "it was an apology for a meal"; "a poor excuse for an automobile"

exception - an instance that does not conform to a rule or generalization; "all her children were brilliant; the only exception was her last child"; "an exception tests the rule"

case in point, precedent - an example that is used to justify similar occurrences at a later time

quintessence - the most typical example or representative of a type

sample - a small part of something intended as representative of the whole

specimen - an example regarded as typical of its class

elaborate, expatiate, expound, lucubrate, dilate, flesh out, exposit, enlarge, expand - add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing; "She elaborated on the main ideas in her dissertation"