imitation

[im-i-tey-shuhn]

noun

1. a result or product of imitating.

2. the act of imitating.

3. a counterfeit; copy.

4. a literary composition that imitates the manner or subject of another author or work.

5. Biology.,  mimicry.

6. Psychology.,  the performance of an act whose stimulus is the observation of the act performed by another person.

7. Sociology.,  the copying of patterns of activity and thought of other groups or individuals.

8. Art.

   1. (in Aristotelian aesthetics) the representation of an object or an action as it ought to be.

   2. the representation of actuality in art or literature.

9. Music.,  the repetition of a melodic phrase at a different pitch or key from the original or in a different voice part.

adjective

1. designed to imitate a genuine or superior article or thing.

   imitation leather.

2. Jewelry.,  noting an artificial gem no part of which is of the true gemstone.

imitation

/ ˌɪmɪˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. the act, practice, or art of imitating; mimicry

2. an instance or product of imitating, such as a copy of the manner of a person; impression

3. 1. a copy or reproduction of a genuine article; counterfeit

   2. ( as modifier )

      imitation jewellery

4. (in contrapuntal or polyphonic music) the repetition of a phrase or figure in one part after its appearance in another, as in a fugue

5. a literary composition that adapts the style of an older work to the writer's own purposes

Other Word Forms

• imitational adjective
• nonimitational adjective
• overimitation noun
• preimitation noun
• self-imitation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of imitation¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin imitātiōn- (stem of imitātiō ). See imitate, -ion

Example Sentences

They even had a “day of the dead” in imitation of Christianity, another movement fueled by apocalyptic associations and martyrology.

From Salon

The argument continued over dinner at a restaurant, where he pointed his finger at her in imitation of a gun, making her so upset she left the table.

From Los Angeles Times

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – and now we have Arne Slot's Liverpool repeating the old Ferguson punishment as they relentlessly pursue victories and trophies.

From BBC

These imitations can come in flat-packs, be inflatable, 2D or create a radar illusion of a tank by reflecting radio waves in a special way.

From BBC

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an imitation firearm, the Metropolitan Police has said.

From BBC

Related Words

• clone 
• impersonation 
• impression 
• mimicry 
• parody 
• reflection 
• replica 
• reproduction