I. ˈmäd ə l noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle French modelle, from Old Italian modello, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin modellus, from Latin modulus small measure, from modus measure, manner + -ulus
1. obsolete : a set of plans for a building to be erected or of drawings to scale for a structure already built ; also : a ground plan especially of a garden
we first survey the plot, then draw the model — Shakespeare
2. dialect Britain : a person or thing that exactly resembles another : copy , image
had my father's signet in my purse, which was the model of that Danish seal — Shakespeare
3. obsolete : something that encases or wraps around : mold
model to thy inward greatness, like little body with a mighty heart — Shakespeare
4. : structural design : pattern
built his home on the model of an old farmhouse
began his teaching by organizing a seminar on the German model — J.S.Bassett
providing for the founding of New Jersey towns on the New England model — American Guide Series: New Jersey
5. archaic : an abstract or summary of a written work : epitome
6.
a. : a usually miniature three-dimensional representation of something existing in nature or constructed or to be constructed
a mile-long concrete model of the Mississippi valley — Time
a 15-foot model of a full-rigged ship — American Guide Series: Maryland
miniature, like some exquisite model seen through a glass case — Osbert Sitwell
b. : a representation in relief or three dimensions in plaster, papier-mâché, wood, plastic, or other material of a surface or solid
7. : something made in a usually pliable material (as clay or wax) and intended to serve as a pattern of an object or figure to be made in a more permanent material
made many models of the coin before he was satisfied with one
8. : a person or thing regarded as worthy of imitation : something perfect of its kind
brevity that renders both writers such valuable models to an age whose worst literary fault is diffuseness — Richard Garnett †1906
still remains a model of scientific argument — B.W.Bacon
his written addresses are models of clearness, logical order, and style — A.B.Noble
9. : a person or thing that serves as a pattern or source of inspiration for an artist or writer
his father was the model for one of the most famous characters in literature
especially : one who poses for an artist
his wife served as the model for many of his early paintings
10. : archetype
11. : an organism whose appearance a mimic imitates — compare mimicry
12. : one who is employed to display clothes or to appear in displays of other merchandise (as in a fashion show, in a photograph, or on television)
left school to go to work as a dress model in the garment district — Current Biography
he has appeared as a model in advertisements for cigars
13.
a.
(1) : a specific type or design of clothing
favors the Alaskan-trapper model with a high guard at the toe — R.L.Neuberger
(2) : an article of clothing (as a dress with a distinctive design)
girls, self-conscious in their Paris models — Paul Bowles
b. : a specific type or design of car
offers eight new models for next year, including a completely restyled convertible
c. : a modification or variation of a general type or mark of military equipment
14.
a. : a description, a collection of statistical data, or an analogy used to help visualize often in a simplified way something that cannot be directly observed (as an atom)
b. : a theoretical projection in detail of a possible system of human relationships (as in economics, politics, or psychology) : blueprint
his model of an election procedure based on permanent personal registration reveals some of the problems to be solved
constructed the first of the world models of the present century — S.F.Mason
Synonyms:
example , pattern , exemplar , paradigm , ideal , beau ideal , standard , mirror : model applies to something set up or held out as worthy of imitation, sometimes preeminently so
a workmen's compensation law which is still considered a model piece of legislation — Current Biography
models for the development of his own habitual responses to various situations — Ralph Linton
the very model of a modern major general — W.S.Gilbert
example applies chiefly to a person to be imitated or, in some contexts, emphatically not to be imitated since his case serves not as an inducement but as a warning
one of the immortal examples of a true man in a world of bounders, cowards, and squeaking specters — W.L.Sullivan
presents an example in modern department store designing — Retailing Daily
making the mutineers examples for the rest of the crew
pattern may suggest a clear or detailed archetype or prototype
many hymns that set the pattern for the stately hymnology of the American Protestant Church — American Guide Series: New Jersey
the ancient pattern of life had been woven continuously for so many centuries that even illiterate farmers knew how to be courtly and dignified at family celebrations or at the great yearly festivals — John Blofeld
exemplar indicates either a faultless example to be emulated or a perfect typification
Christianity was primarily an ethical system; Christ was its great teacher and exemplar; and to be a Christian meant to conduct one's life in accordance with the principles which governed Him — A.C.McGiffert
the living exemplar of tragedy as the human lot — V.S.Pritchett
paradigm , now rare in this sense, may suggest an exemplar of a perfection impossible or unusual in reality
a love worthy of being a paradigm of the cosmic relation of universal matter and universal form, this all-comprising power, cannot be a vague feeling — F.P.Bargebuhr
ideal indicates the best possible exemplification either in reality or in a mental conception
he had the courage and rebelliousness of his … cousins too much on his mind; they were his ideal — Glenway Wescott
a multitude of stories and traditions grew up around his name, to be interpreted according to the hearers' own ideals of personality and education — D.E.Smith
beau ideal sometimes is taken to mean “beautiful ideal”
the very beau ideal of a perfect government is the government of a majority, acting through a representative body — J.C.Calhoun
standard may indicate that which embodies criteria for excellence and sets a high example for emulation
the ideal of general cultivation has been one of the standards in education — C.W.Eliot
human life on earth cannot continue unless we ordinary men and women can manage to practice these virtues up to a far higher standard — A.J.Toynbee
mirror was once often used to mean a model of perfection
bounteous Buckingham, the mirror of all courtesy — Shakespeare
II. verb
( modeled or modelled ; modeled or modelled ; modeling or modelling -d( ə )liŋ ; models )
transitive verb
1. : to plan or form after a pattern : frame , shape
modeled a double-decked steamboat — Waldemar Kaempffert
2. archaic : to make into an organization (as an army, government, or parish)
3.
a. : to shape or fashion in a pliable material (as clay, wax, or dampened leather)
a file of plasticene animals modeled by the little girls — Elizabeth Bowen
b. : to give a three-dimensional appearance to in painting or drawing especially by means of chiaroscuro
models the head so that it seems to stand out from the canvas
c. : to emphasize the three-dimensional qualities of (a photographic subject) by means of highlights and shadows
a modeling light for portraiture
use shadows to lend interest to the scene, to model it, give it emphasis — Aaron Sussman
4. : to construct or fashion in imitation of a particular model
modeled its constitution on that of the U.S.
as for the speeches to Congress, they were palpably modeled upon the speeches from the throne of the English kings — H.L.Mencken
5. : to display by wearing, using, or posing with
modeled her inaugural gowns at a fashion show — New York Times
famous for modeling refrigerators and other appliances
intransitive verb
1. : to design or imitate forms : make a pattern
she enjoys modeling in clay
2. : to work or act as a model
asked each contestant … to model before the judges' enclosure — Lillian Ross
III. adjective
: serving as or capable of serving as a model
a model house
a model husband
a model farm
IV. noun
1. : 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
2. : version : equivalent
3. : animal model herein
V. transitive verb
: to produce a representation or simulation of
using a computer to model a problem