mimic

[ mim-ik ]

verb (used with object)

, mim·icked, mim·ick·ing.

1. to imitate or copy in action, speech, etc., often playfully or derisively.

   Synonyms: counterfeit, simulate, impersonate, mock, follow

2. to imitate in a servile or unthinking way; ape.
3. to be an imitation of; simulate; resemble closely.

noun

1. a person who mimics, especially a performer skilled in mimicking others.
2. a copy or imitation of something.
3. a performer in a mime.

adjective

1. imitating or copying something, often on a smaller scale:

   a mimic battle.

   Synonyms: mock

2. apt at or given to imitating; imitative; simulative.

mimic

/ ˈmɪmɪk /

verb

1. to imitate (a person, a manner, etc), esp for satirical effect; ape

   known mainly for his ability to mimic other singers

2. to take on the appearance of; resemble closely

   certain flies mimic wasps

3. to copy closely or in a servile manner

noun

1. a person or an animal, such as a parrot, that is clever at mimicking
2. an animal that displays mimicry

adjective

1. of, relating to, or using mimicry; imitative
2. simulated, make-believe, or mock

Derived Forms

• ˈmimicker, noun

Other Words From

• mimick·er noun
• un·mimicked adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mimic¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin mīmicus, from Greek mīmikós; equivalent to mime + -ic

Word History and Origins

Origin of mimic¹

C16: from Latin mīmicus, from Greek mimikos, from mimos mime

Example Sentences

The catheter sensing system successfully detected the six biomarkers in an experiment with animal brains designed to mimic the conditions of the human brain after a traumatic injury.

From Science Daily

"We observed the swimming motion of manta rays and were able to mimic that behavior in order to control whether the robot swims toward the surface, swims downward, or maintains its position in the water column," says Jiacheng Guo, co-author of the paper and a Ph.D. student at the University of Virginia.

From Science Daily

Thus, the team was able to effectively "mimic" the exercise response without exercise.

From Science Daily

Murach added, "The take-home isn't necessarily that we need to induce MYC in muscle to mimic exercise, but that we can harness the knowledge of what this oncogene affects in muscle and then try to design therapies and interventions for atrophy and enhancing muscle adaptability that activate those positive downstream effects of MYC without evoking the possibility of oncogenesis."

From Science Daily

"SNNs are artificial neural networks that mimic how biological brains process information using brief, discrete signals, much like how neurons in animal brains communicate," Miss Hussaini said.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• mime