Definition of: model

(mod′l) noun
1. An object, usually in miniature, representing accurately something to be made or already existing; more rarely, a plan or drawing: a model of a building.
2. A person who poses for painters, sculptors, etc.
3. A thing or person to be imitated or patterned after; that which is taken as a pattern or an example.
4. A person employed to wear articles of clothing to display them to customers.
5. That which strikingly resembles something else; an approximate copy or image.
—v. ·eled or ·elled, ·el·ing or ·el·ling v.t.
1. To plan or fashion after a model or pattern.
2. To make a model of.
3. To fashion; make.
4. To display by wearing, as a coat or hat.
—v.i.
5. To make a model or models.
6. To pose or serve as a model (defs. 2 and 4).
7. To assume the appearance of natural form.
—adjective Serving or used as a model; suitable for a model; worthy to be imitated. [<F modèle <Ital. modello, dim. of modo <L modus measure, manner]
—mod′·el·er, mod′el·ler noun Synonyms (noun): archetype, copy, design, ectype, example, facsimile, image, imitation, mold, original, pattern, prototype, replica, representation, type. A pattern must be closely followed in its minutest particulars by a faithful copyist; a model may allow a great degree of freedom. A sculptor may idealize his living model; his workmen must exactly copy in marble or metal the model he has made in clay. The archetype is the original form, actual or ideal, in accordance with which existing things are made; a prototype is either the original or an authenticated copy that has the authority of the original. See EXAMPLE, IDEA, IDEAL.