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mod·el

(mŏdl)

1. A small object, usually built to scale, that represents in detail another, often larger object.

a. A preliminary work or construction that serves as a plan from which a final product is to be made: a clay model ready for casting.

b. Such a work or construction used in testing or perfecting a final product: a test model of a solar-powered vehicle.

3. A schematic description or representation of something, especially a system or phenomenon, that accounts for its properties and is used to study its characteristics: a model of generative grammar; a model of an atom; an economic model.

4. A style or design of an item: My car is last year's model.

5. One serving as an example to be imitated or compared: a model of decorum. See Synonyms at ideal.

a. One that serves as the subject for an artist, especially a person employed to pose for a painter, sculptor, or photographer.

b. One that serves as the basis for a fictional character or place.

7. A person employed to display merchandise, such as clothing or cosmetics.

8. Zoology An animal whose appearance is copied by a mimic.

adj.

1. Being, serving as, or used as a model.

2. Worthy of imitation: a model child.

v. mod·eled, mod·el·ing, mod·els also mod·elled or mod·el·ling

v.tr.

1. To make or construct a descriptive or representational model of: computer programs that model climate change.

2. To plan, construct, or fashion in imitation of a model: modeled his legal career after that of his mentor.

a. To make by shaping a plastic substance: modeled a bust from clay.

b. To form (clay, for example) into a shape.

4. To display by wearing or posing in: model clothes.

5. In painting, drawing, and photography, to give a three-dimensional appearance to, as by shading or highlighting.

6. Psychology

a. To exhibit (a behavior) in such a way as to promote the establishment of similar patterns of behavior in another: The therapist modeled socially appropriate conversation.

b. To repeat (a behavior observed in another): The child was modeling her mother's nurturing behavior.

v.intr.

1. To make a model.

2. To work or serve as a model, as in wearing clothes for display or serving as the subject of an artist.

Phrasal Verb:

model (oneself) on (or after)

To copy the example of (another); imitate.

[French modèle, from Italian modello, diminutive of modo, form, from Latin modus, measure, standard; see med- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

model·er n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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