imitate vs copy

imitate is not a noun while copy is a noun.

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

As verbs, imitate and copy are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of imitate include simulate.

As verbs, copy is a hypernym of imitate; that is, copy is a word with a broader meaning than imitate:

Other hypernyms of imitate include re-create, recreate.

imitate (noun)	copy (noun)
	a thing made to be similar or identical to another thing
	a reproduction of a written record (e.g. of a legal or school record)
	matter to be printed; exclusive of graphical materials
	material suitable for a journalistic account

imitate (verb)	copy (verb)
reproduce someone's behavior or looks	reproduce someone's behavior or looks
make a reproduction or copy of	make a replica of
appear like, as in behavior or appearance	reproduce or make an exact copy of
	copy down as is