mimicry

[mim-ik-ree]

noun

plural

mimicries 

1. the act, practice, or art of mimicking.

2. 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.

3. an instance, performance, or result of mimicking.

mimicry

/ ˈmɪmɪkrɪ /

noun

1. the act or art of copying or imitating closely; mimicking

2. the resemblance shown by one animal species, esp an insect, to another, which protects it from predators

mimicry

1. The resemblance of one organism to another or to an object in its surroundings for concealment or protection from predators.

2. See also aggressive mimicry Batesian mimicry Müllerian mimicry

Word History and Origins

Origin of mimicry¹

First recorded in 1680–90; mimic + -ry

Example Sentences

Therefore I propose that someone with a keen sense of the theatrical, a talent for mimicry and improvising dialogue—a playwright, perhaps?—be engaged as an understudy to the ghost, as it were.”

Read more on Literature

This mimicry was at the heart of his brilliant comedy.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Replacing this with automated mimicry suggests a disturbing turn toward commodified and monolingual film culture, she says.

Read more on BBC

But these long, hot days are just mimicry.

Read more on Salon

"There was a lot of Trump mimicry in terms of how they presented the campaign," Mr Teneycke said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• pastiche