imitate vs imitation

imitate is not a noun while imitation is a noun.

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

imitate (noun)	imitation (noun)
	copying (or trying to copy) the actions of someone else
	something copied or derived from an original
	the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
	a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect

imitate (adjective)	imitation (adjective)
	not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article

imitate (verb)	imitation (verb)
reproduce someone's behavior or looks
make a reproduction or copy of
appear like, as in behavior or appearance