model

noun

• 1a three-dimensional representation of a person or thing or of a proposed structure, typically on a smaller scale than the original:a model of St Paul’s Cathedral [as modifier]:a model aeroplane
• (in sculpture) a figure or object made in clay or wax, to be reproduced in another more durable material: wax models were used by sculptors in the lost wax method of bronze casting

• 2a thing used as an example to follow or imitate:the project became a model for other schemes
• a person or thing regarded as an excellent example of a specified quality:as she grew older, she became a model of self-control [as modifier]:he was a model husband and father
• an actual person or place on which a specified fictional character or location is based:Preston was the model for Coketown in ‘Hard Times’
• (the Model) the plan for the reorganization of the Parliamentary army, passed by the House of Commons in 1644-5. See also New Model Army.

• 3a simplified description, especially a mathematical one, of a system or process, to assist calculations and predictions:a statistical model used for predicting the survival rates of endangered species

• 4a person employed to display clothes by wearing them: Jane was too small to be a model a well-known fashion model
• a person employed to pose for an artist, photographer, or sculptor:an artist’s model

• 5a particular design or version of a product:the company revealed their latest model at the Motor Show
• a garment or a copy of a garment by a well-known designer: strikes have dogged the production of the models

verb (models, modelling, modelled; US models, modeling, modeled)

• 1fashion or shape (a three-dimensional figure or object) in a malleable material such as clay or wax:use the icing to model a house
• (in drawing or painting) represent so as to appear three-dimensional:the body of the woman to the right is modelled in softer, riper forms

• 2 (model something on/after) use (a system, procedure, etc.) as an example to follow or imitate:the research method will be modelled on previous work
• (model oneself on) take (someone admired or respected) as an example to follow or imitate:he models himself on rock legend Elvis Presley
• devise a representation, especially a mathematical one, of (a phenomenon or system):a computer program that can model the behaviour of smoke

• 3display (clothes) by wearing them: the clothes were modelled by celebrities
• [no object] work as a model by displaying clothes or posing for an artist or sculptor: he’s been modelling for just two weeks