imitation vs imitate

imitation is a noun but imitate is not a noun.

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

imitation (noun)	imitate (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

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

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