What does imitate mean?

Definitions for imitate
ˈɪm ɪˌteɪtim·i·tate

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word imitate.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. imitate, copy, simulateverb

    reproduce someone's behavior or looks

    "The mime imitated the passers-by"; "Children often copy their parents or older siblings"

  2. imitateverb

    appear like, as in behavior or appearance

    "Life imitate art"

  3. imitateverb

    make a reproduction or copy of

Wiktionary

  1. imitateverb

    To follow as a model or a pattern; to make a copy, counterpart or semblance of.

  2. imitateverb

    To copy.

  3. Etymology: From imitatus, past participle of imitari, from a deponent frequentive root *, whence also imago, see image.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. To Imitateverb

    Etymology: imitor, Latin; imiter, French.

    We imitate and practise to make swifter motions than any out of your muskets. Francis Bacon.

    Despise wealth, and imitate a god. Abraham Cowley.

    I would caress some stableman of note,
    And imitate his language and his coat. Man of Taste.

    This hand appear'd a shining sword to wield,
    And that sustain'd an imitated shield. John Dryden, Æn.

    For shame! what, imitate an ode! John Gay.

ChatGPT

  1. imitate

    Imitate means to replicate or reproduce someone's behavior, appearance, or actions, often in order to learn from them or to entertain others. It involves copying or mimicking the exact traits or characteristics of the subject being imitated.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Imitateverb

    to follow as a pattern, model, or example; to copy or strive to copy, in acts, manners etc

  2. Imitateverb

    to produce a semblance or likeness of, in form, character, color, qualities, conduct, manners, and the like; to counterfeit; to copy

  3. Imitateverb

    to resemble (another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object) in form, color, ornamentation, or instinctive habits, so as to derive an advantage thereby; sa, when a harmless snake imitates a venomous one in color and manner, or when an odorless insect imitates, in color, one having secretion offensive to birds

  4. Etymology: [L. imitatus, p. p. of imitari to imitate; of unknown origin. Cf. Image.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Imitate

    im′i-tāt, v.t. to copy, to strive to be the same as: to produce a likeness of.—n. Imitabil′ity.—adj. Im′itable, that may be imitated or copied: worthy of imitation.—n. Im′itancy, the tendency to imitate.—adj. Im′itant.—n. Imitā′tion, act of imitating: that which is produced as a copy, a likeness: (mus.) the repeating of the same passage, or the following of a passage with a similar one in one or more of the other parts or voices.—adj. Im′itātive, inclined to imitate: formed after a model.—adv. Im′itātively.—ns. Im′itātiveness, the quality of being imitative; Im′itātor, one who imitates or copies. [L. imitāri, imitātus, ety. unknown.]

Matched Categories

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of imitate in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of imitate in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of imitate in a Sentence

  1. Edgar Degas:

    The museums are here to teach the history of art and something more as well, for, if they stimulate in the weak a desire to imitate, they furnish the strong with the means of their emancipation.

  2. Margaret Fuller:

    It does not follow because many books are written by persons born in America that there exists an American literature. Books which imitate or represent the thoughts and life of Europe do not constitute an American literature. Before such can exist, an original idea must animate this nation and fresh currents of life must call into life fresh thoughts along the shore.

  3. Scott C. Holstad:

    pictures of life grinding to a halt decorating walls movement in dead motion limbs askew mouths stretched wide in motionless scream. art as we see it – feeling it’s another story. so does art imitate life or does life imitate A—R—T and where does it end – on cold walls before disinterested observers?

  4. Juliette Fernandez:

    We started making the costumes, finding the wigs, designing choreographies and even trying to imitate the characters' voices.

  5. Eric Hoffer:

    When people are free to do as they please, they usually imitate each other.

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Translations for imitate

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"imitate." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 5 Jun 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/imitate>.

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