model

I. noun Etymology: Middle French modelle, from Old Italian modello, from Vulgar Latin *modellus, from Latin modulus small measure, from modus Date: 1575 1. obsolete a set of plans for a building 2. dialect British copy, image 3. structural design <

a home on the model of an old farmhouse

> 4. a usually miniature representation of something; also a pattern of something to be made 5. an example for imitation or emulation 6. a person or thing that serves as a pattern for an artist; especially one who poses for an artist 7. archetype 8. an organism whose appearance a mimic imitates 9. one who is employed to display clothes or other merchandise 10. a. a type or design of clothing b. a type or design of product (as a car) 11. a description or analogy used to help visualize something (as an atom) that cannot be directly observed 12. a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs; also a computer simulation based on such a system <

climate models

> 13. version 3 14. animal model Synonyms: model, example, pattern, exemplar, ideal mean someone or something set before one for guidance or imitation. model applies to something taken or proposed as worthy of imitation <

a decor that is a model of good taste

>. example applies to a person to be imitated or in some contexts on no account to be imitated but to be regarded as a warning <

children tend to follow the example of their parents

>. pattern suggests a clear and detailed archetype or prototype <

American industry set a pattern for others to follow

>. exemplar suggests either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification <

cited Joan of Arc as the exemplar of courage

>. ideal implies the best possible exemplification either in reality or in conception <

never found a job that matched his ideal

>. II. verb (-eled or -elled; -eling or modelling) Date: 1625 transitive verb 1. to plan or form after a pattern ; shape 2. archaic to make into an organization (as an army, government, or parish) 3. a. to shape or fashion in a plastic material b. to produce a representation or simulation of <

using a computer to model a problem

> 4. to construct or fashion in imitation of a particular model <

modeled its constitution on that of the United States

> 5. to display by wearing, using, or posing with <

modeled gowns

> intransitive verb 1. to design or imitate forms ; make a pattern <

enjoys modeling in clay

> 2. to work or act as a fashion or art model • modeler also modeller noun III. adjective Date: 1844 1. serving as or capable of serving as a pattern <

a model student

> 2. being a usually miniature representation of something <

a model airplane

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