imitate vs ape

imitate is not a noun while ape is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
imitate	No	No	Yes	No
ape	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, ape is a hyponym of imitate; that is, ape is a word with a more specific, narrower meaning than imitate:

Other hyponyms of imitate include emulate, follow suit.

imitate (noun)	ape (noun)
	any of various primates with short tails or no tail at all
	person who resembles a nonhuman primate
	someone who copies the words or behavior of another

imitate (verb)	ape (verb)
reproduce someone's behavior or looks	represent in or produce a caricature of
make a reproduction or copy of	imitate uncritically and in every aspect
appear like, as in behavior or appearance