English → Latin
“model” in Latin
proplasmamodel (of something to be made)exemplarmodel, pattern, example, original or ideal; copyexempluma sample, example; a warning example, deterrent; torture, exemplary penalty, chastisementplasticusOf or pertaining to moulding or shaping.; Made of plastic.fingōto shape, fashion, form, knead (dough); to touch, touch gently, stroke, stroke gently, handle; to adorn, dress, arrangefōrmōto shape, form, fashion, format
The English word model itself goes back to Latin modus, through *modellus.
Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864
model s.
proplasma, -atis, neuter; protypum (a pattern on a small scale, after which a work of art is to be made; typus is an image made): exemplar, exemplum (general term, a pattern after which a work of art is to be nvide; e.g., exemplum animale, a living model from which an artist paints, Cic., Invent., 2, 1, 2): to furnish a model of anything, alicujus rei modum formamque demonstrare: to take a model of anything, exemplum sumere ab aliqua re: to serve as a model, exemplum exsistere.
model v.
*alicujus rei proplasma fingere: to model anything in plaster of Paris, alicujus rei protypum e gypso exprimere: the art of modelling, plastice (πλαστική): ars fingendi: fingere (to form out of the raw material): formare (to bring into a shape, to shape). (The words are found in this connection and order.) fingere et formare.
Quick answer
- What is the Latin word for model?
- The usual Latin words for “model” are proplasma, exemplar, exemplum; also plasticus, fingō, fōrmō. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.
Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.