Example given by ancients originally (8)
I believe the answer is:
instance
'example' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'ancients originally' is the wordplay.
'originally' is an anagram indicator.
'ancients' anagrammed gives 'INSTANCE'.
'given by' is the link.
(Other definitions for instance that I've seen before include "Particular case; cite" , "Specimen" , "Case - isn't acne (anag)" , "Particular example" , "Occasion" .)