imitate vs model

imitate is not a noun while model is a noun.

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

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

Other hyponyms of imitate include conform to, follow, mock, take off, mime, mimic, pattern, follow, take after, emulate.

imitate (noun)	model (noun)
	the act of representing something (usually on a smaller scale)
	representation of something (sometimes on a smaller scale)
	a hypothetical description of a complex entity or process
	something to be imitated
	a representative form or pattern
	a type of product
	a person who poses for a photographer or painter or sculptor
	someone worthy of imitation
	a woman who wears clothes to display fashions

imitate (adjective)	model (adjective)
	worthy of imitation

imitate (verb)	model (verb)
reproduce someone's behavior or looks	form in clay, wax, etc
make a reproduction or copy of	construct a model in the likeness of
appear like, as in behavior or appearance	plan or create according to a model or models
	create a representation or simulation of
	display (clothes) as a mannequin
	assume a posture as for artistic purposes