model

[mod-l] /ˈmɒd l/
noun
1.
a standard or example for imitation or comparison.
2.
a representation, generally in miniature, to show the construction or appearance of something.
3.
an image in clay, wax, or the like, to be reproduced in more durable material.
4.
a person or thing that serves as a subject for an artist, sculptor, writer, etc.
5.
a person whose profession is posing for artists or photographers.
6.
a person employed to wear clothing or pose with a product for purposes of display and advertising.
7.
a style or design of a particular product:
His car is last year's model.
8.
a pattern or mode of structure or formation.
9.
a typical form or style.
10.
a simplified representation of a system or phenomenon, as in the sciences or economics, with any hypotheses required to describe the system or explain the phenomenon, often mathematically.
11.
Zoology. an animal that is mimicked in form or color by another.
adjective
12.
serving as an example or model:
a model home open to prospective buyers.
13.
worthy to serve as a model; exemplary:
a model student.
14.
being a small or miniature version of something:
He enjoyed building model ships.
verb (used with object), modeled, modeling or (especially British) modelled, modelling.
15.
to form or plan according to a model.
16.
to give shape or form to; fashion.
17.
to make a miniature model of.
18.
to fashion in clay, wax, or the like.
19.
to simulate (a process, concept, or the operation of a system), commonly with the aid of a computer.
20.
to display to other persons or to prospective customers, especially by wearing:
to model dresses.
21.
to use or include as an element in a larger construct:
to model new data into the forecast.
verb (used without object), modeled, modeling or (especially British) modelled, modelling.
22.
to make models.
23.
to produce designs in some plastic material.
24.
to assume a typical or natural appearance, as the parts of a drawing in progress.
25.
to serve or be employed as a model.
Origin
1565-75; earlier modell < Middle French modelle < Italian modello < Vulgar Latin *modellus, equivalent to Latin mod(ulus) (see module) + -ellus -elle
Related forms
modeler; especially British, modeller, noun
premodel, verb (used without object), premodeled, premodeling or (especially British) premodelled, premodelling.
unmodeled, adjective
unmodelled, adjective
Synonyms
1. paragon; prototype, archetype, mold, original. See ideal. 16. design.
Examples from the web for models
  • Cookware and hardware stores are selling many new models this year.
  • But one theory is that they used maquettes, or small models, made to cast shadows in abstract shapes.
  • Managing fisheries on a sustained yield basis has never worked, because the models used aren't ecological to begin with.
  • And his rebellion came at the precise moment that the old social models were also weakening.
  • The past, moreover, really held models of statecraft from which his own times had fallen away.
  • We know such day dreams are nuclei and models for the dreams of night.
  • The findings contradict current models of yeast growth.
  • For months, the neurosurgeons had planned this operation using a new generation of virtual reality anatomical models.
  • We stayed away from noise-canceling and wireless tech, earbuds and models made for the commuter set.
  • Automakers realize this, which is why they're packing new models with ever more technology.
British Dictionary definitions for models

model

/ˈmɒdəl/
noun
1.
  1. a representation, usually on a smaller scale, of a device, structure, etc
  2. (as modifier): a model train
2.
  1. a standard to be imitated: she was my model for good scholarship
  2. (as modifier): a model wife
3.
a representative form, style, or pattern
4.
a person who poses for a sculptor, painter, or photographer
5.
a person who wears clothes to display them to prospective buyers; mannequin
6.
a preparatory sculpture in clay, wax, etc, from which the finished work is copied
7.
a design or style, esp one of a series of designs of a particular product: last year's model
8.
(Brit)
  1. an original unique article of clothing
  2. (as modifier): a model coat
9.
a simplified representation or description of a system or complex entity, esp one designed to facilitate calculations and predictions
10.
(logic)
  1. an interpretation of a formal system under which the theorems derivable in that system are mapped onto truths
  2. a theory in which a given sentence is true
verb -els, -elling, -elled (US) -els, -eling, -eled
11.
to make a model of (something or someone)
12.
to form in clay, wax, etc; mould
13.
to display (clothing and accessories) as a mannequin
14.
to plan or create according to a model or models
15.
to arrange studio lighting so that highlights and shadows emphasize the desired features of a human form or an inanimate object
Derived Forms
modeller, (US) modeler, noun
Word Origin
C16: from Old French modelle, from Italian modello, from Latin modulus, diminutive of modusmode
Word Origin and History for models

model

n.

1570s, "likeness made to scale; architect's set of designs," from Middle French modelle (16c., Modern French modèle), from Italian modello "a model, mold," from Vulgar Latin *modellus, from Latin modulus "a small measure, standard," diminutive of modus "manner, measure" (see mode (n.1)).

Sense of "thing or person to be imitated" is 1630s. Meaning "motor vehicle of a particular design" is from 1900 (e.g. Model T, 1908; Ford's other early models included C, F, and B). Sense of "artist's model" is first recorded 1690s; that of "fashion model" is from 1904. German, Swedish modell, Dutch, Danish model are from French or Italian.

v.

1660s, "fashion in clay or wax," from model (n.). Earlier was modelize (c.1600). From 1915 in the sense "to act as a fashion model, to display (clothes)." Related: Modeled; modeling; modelled; modelling.

adj.

1844, from model (n.).

models in Science
model
(mŏd'l)
A systematic description of an object or phenomenon that shares important characteristics with the object or phenomenon. Scientific models can be material, visual, mathematical, or computational and are often used in the construction of scientific theories. See also hypothesis, theory.