Model

  1. The dictionary definition is pretty good: a system of postulates, data, and inferences presented as a mathematical description of an entity or state of affairs1. Except that I’d change “and” to “and/or”, which admits to the concept of a data model.
  2. A “model” can also serve to differentiate sub-classifications of a given CI. See also Model Number.

See also the exegesis on models.

Footnotes
  1. Merriam-Webster’s Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged (electronic version 3.4.182.25004, 2013)[↩]