Though only part perfect, is imitated (4,5)
I believe the answer is:
role model
'is imitated' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.
'though only part perfect' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'part' could be 'role' (eg a theatrical role) and 'role' is found in the answer.
'perfect' could be 'model' (I've seen this before) and 'model' is present in the answer.
No letters remain.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for role model that I've seen before include "good example to follow" , "someone worthy of imitation" , "Person to imitate" , "someone to look up to" , "Exemplary item" .)