imitation

American  

[im-i-tey-shuhn] / ˌɪm ɪˈteɪ ʃən /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of imitation

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

Example Sentences

She’d dropped her voice an octave, in a pretty decent imitation of Dad.

From Literature

If imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery, perhaps Americans should take a bow.

From The Wall Street Journal

The goal isn’t to displace us, but to import communal artistry — Kenyan wood and beadwork can be found in the pathways, resting spaces and more — as a show of admiration rather than imitation.

From Los Angeles Times

This "will help traditional EU farming products sell more in India, by removing unfair competition in the form of imitations", the EU executive said.

From Barron's

Geake said experts originally believed imitations like this were made by a trading people called the Frisians, but more evidence is coming to light to suggest they were made by the Vikings.

From BBC

Related Words

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