emulation
Americannoun
-
effort or desire to equal or excel others.
- Synonyms:
- competition, imitation
-
Obsolete. jealous rivalry.
noun
-
the act of emulating or imitating
-
the effort or desire to equal or surpass another or others
-
archaic jealous rivalry
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of emulation
First recorded in 1545–55, emulation is from the Latin word aemulātiōn- (stem of aemulātiō ). See emulate, -ion
Explanation
Emulation is the effort to act like someone else. Your emulation of your older brother on the tennis court might create a rivalry between you, as you become a better player. Emulation comes from the Latin aemulat- meaning "rivaled, equaled," but we usually use emulation in a non-competitive sense, like the emulation of a role model. Having a role model can be useful. Your emulation of that person can help keep you focused toward your goal. It's when that admiration turns into a competitive obsession that emulation becomes a problem. In computing, emulation is the technique used so one machine gets the same results as another.
Vocabulary lists containing emulation
Julius Caesar
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"A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift
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“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Emulation is inherently hit and miss, and your results will vary depending on how you tweak settings and which emulators you choose.
From The Verge • Apr. 16, 2022
Emulation is one way to save defunct hardware and software from the boneyard.
From The Verge • May 6, 2019
Emulation works because in a hierarchical system people recognize and agree where goods fi t along this status gradient, and so one’s possessions transparently signal status.
From Scientific American • May 8, 2015
Emulation is tricky business — so tricky Sony dropped it from the PS3 entirely.
From Time • Nov. 21, 2013
Emulation is the best spring; or call it rivalry, or jealousy, if you will, it will get you money if you put it in motion.
From The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume 7. by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
