View synonyms for mimicry

mimicry

[ mim-ik-ree ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural mim·ic·ries.

the act, practice, or art of mimicking.
Biology. the close external resemblance of an organism, the mimic, to some different organism, the model, such that the mimic benefits from the mistaken identity, as seeming to be unpalatable or harmful.
an instance, performance, or result of mimicking.

mimicry

/ ˈmɪmɪkrɪ /

the act or art of copying or imitating closely; mimicking
the resemblance shown by one animal species, esp an insect, to another, which protects it from predators

mimicry

/ mĭm′ĭ-krē /

The resemblance of one organism to another or to an object in its surroundings for concealment or protection from predators.
See also aggressive mimicry

Origin of mimicry¹

First recorded in 1680–90; mimic + -ry

The noises of life—both annoying and pleasant—have been represented through mimicry or abstraction in all music cultures.

We use mimicry, we stage situations and some people even draw what they want to say to achieve a clear understanding.

They sometimes have to resort to words because their mimicry sometimes failed them.

Though scientists are keen to explore whether such lab-created mimicry can be pushed further, the 14-day rule stands in the way.

The flock mimicry may not be about wooing a female, but deceiving her into believing a predator is nearby, Dalziell says.

Mimicry is an ingenious survival technique, albeit one that is of little use against bulldozers and chainsaws.

But this was an element of Jeff that I understood; his mimicry and his retention for music and melody.

We were speaking of the faculty of mimicry, and he told me such a funny little anecdote about Chopin.

Caroline, during this time, is busy with an alarming piece of mimicry: she looks as if she were going to faint.

One thing in connection with Chopin's mimicry has to be particularly noted—it is very characteristic of the man.

Her powers of mimicry, too, particularly of the different dialects of France, have seldom been surpassed.

The strangers assembled to see our childish mimicry of passion were witnesses to a highly-wrought dramatic scene in real life.

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