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model definition

model (mäd'l)

noun

    1. a small copy or imitation of an existing object, as a ship, building, etc., made to scale
    2. a preliminary representation of something, serving as the plan from which the final, usually larger, object is to be constructed
    3. archetype (sense )
    4. a hypothetical or stylized representation, as of an atom
    5. a generalized, hypothetical description, often based on an analogy, used in analyzing or explaining something
    6. a piece of sculpture in wax or clay from which a finished work in bronze, marble, etc. is to be made
  1. a person or thing considered as a standard of excellence to be imitated
  2. a style or design; specif., any of a series of different styles or designs of a particular product a two-door model, a heavy-duty model, a 1969 model
    1. a person who poses for an artist or photographer
    2. any person or thing serving as a subject for an artist or writer
    3. a person employed to display clothes by wearing them; mannequin

Etymology: Fr modèle < It modello, dim. of modo < L modus, mode

adjective

  1. serving as a model, pattern, or standard of excellence a model student
  2. representative of others of the same kind, style, etc. a model home
  3. of or being a small-scale copy of an airplane, ship, etc., esp. one assembled from a kit () as a hobby

transitive verb modeled -·eled or modelled -·elled, modeling -·el·ing or modelling -·el·ling

    1. to make a model of
    2. to plan, form, or design after a model
    3. to make conform to a standard of excellence to model one's behavior on that of one's elders
  1. to shape or form in or as in clay, wax, etc.
  2. to display (a dress, suit, etc.) by wearing
  3. Drawing, Painting, etc. to create a three-dimensional image of on a flat surface through the use of color, shading, etc.

intransitive verb

  1. to make a model or models to model in clay
  2. ☆ to serve as a model (sense )

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:
model Synonyms

model

n.

  1. A person or thing worthy of imitation

    paragon, archetype, prototype, exemplar, pattern, paradigm, ideal, role model, beau ideal, good example, shining example, hero, heroine, idol, demigod, saint, epitome, mirror; see also paragon.

  2. Anything that is copied

    original, example, pattern, standard, precedent, archetype, prototype, type, paradigm, text, guide, design, mold, criterion, rule, touchstone, gauge, ideal, shape, form, specimen, exemplar, principle, basis, sketch, antetype; see also criterion.

  3. A duplicate on a small scale

    miniature, image, illustration, representation, reduction, statue, statuette, figure, figurine, effigy, idol, mock-up, skeleton, portrait, photograph, relief, print, engraving; see also copy, duplicate.

  4. One who poses professionally

    poser, sitter, manikin, mannequin; see nude.

    Kinds of models include: portrait, artist's, fashion, sculptor's, photographic.

model refers to a representation made to be copied or, more generally, to any person or thing to be followed or imitated because of excellence, worth, etc.; example suggests that which is presented as a sample, or that which sets a precedent for imitation, whether good or bad; a pattern is a model, guide, plan, etc. to be strictly followed; paradigm can refer to an example that serves as a model, but is uncommon now except in its grammatical sense of an example of a declension or conjugation giving all the inflectional forms of a word; archetype applies to the original pattern serving as the model for all later things of the same kind or to a typical or perfect example of a type; standard refers to something established for use as a rule or a basis of comparison in judging quality, value, etc.


model

v.

  1. To form

    shape, mold, fashion; see create 2, form 1.

  2. To imitate a model

    copy, trace, duplicate, sketch, reduce, represent, print, die, counterfeit, caricature, parody, burlesque, steal one's stuff*, register*; see also illustrate 1, paint 1.

  3. To serve as a model

    sit, act as model, set an example; see pose 2.

  4. To demonstrate

    show, show off, wear, parade, pose in; see also display 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

model Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • develop: Quantitative criteria were used to compare the quality of the models developed from each method.

Adjective modifier

  • mathematical: Does this analysis have to rest largely on judgment, or can mathematical models of the economy be used to improve the process?

Modifies a noun

  • organism: Model organisms are beloved by researchers investigating developmental biology - the transformation of an organism from a fertilized egg into an adult.

Noun used with modifier

  • role: Lack of father figure - no male role model - failing boys.

Preposition: from

  • January: Discounts if you model from january throughout the marketplace.
model usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

model quotes

I prefer you to take as your model a mediocre sculpture rather than an excellent painting, for from painted objects we train our hand only to make a likeness, whereas from sculptures we learn to represent both likeness and correct incidence of light.

-Alberti, Leon Battista

I am a free man, I do not need to copy Petrarch or Boccaccio. My own genius is enough. Let others worry themselves about style and so cease to be themselves. Without a master, without a model, without a guide, without artifice,Igotowork and earnmy living, my well- being, and my fame.What do Ineedmore? Witha goose quill and a few sheets of paper I mock the universe.

-Aretino, Pietro

I describe imperfect characters. Every character in this book will be found to be more or less imperfect, my pen refusing to draw anything in the model line.

-Bronte«  , Charlotte

model quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"model." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/model>

APA Style

model. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/model

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