Imitate

  • 1Imitate — Im i*tate, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Imitated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Imitating}.] [L. imitatus, p. p. of imitari to imitate; of unknown origin. Cf. {Image}.] 1. To follow as a pattern, model, or example; to copy or strive to copy, in acts, manners etc.… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2imitate — [im′i tāt΄] vt. imitated, imitating [< L imitatus, pp. of imitari, to imitate, akin to aemulus: see EMULATE] 1. to seek to follow the example of; take as one s model or pattern 2. to act the same as; impersonate; mimic 3. to reproduce in form …

    English World dictionary

  • 3imitate — ► VERB 1) follow as a model. 2) copy (a person s speech or mannerisms), especially for comic effect. 3) reproduce; simulate: synthetic fabrics that imitate silk. DERIVATIVES imitable adjective imitator noun. ORIGIN Latin imitari, related to …

    English terms dictionary

  • 4imitate — I verb adopt, caricature, copy, counterfeit, duplicate, echo, emulate, fabricate, fake, follow suit, forge, impersonate, match, mimic, mirror, parallel, parody, parrot, plagiarize, portray, pose, pretend, reflect, repeat, represent, reproduce,… …

    Law dictionary

  • 5imitate — (v.) 1530s, a back formation from IMITATION (Cf. imitation) or imitator, or else from L. imitatus. Related: Imitated; imitating. An Old English word for this was æfterhyrigan …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 6imitate — *copy, mimic, ape, mock Analogous words: impersonate (see ACT vb): simulate, feign, counterfeit (see ASSUME): caricature, burlesque, parody, travesty (see under CARICATURE n) …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 7imitate — has a derivative form imitable meaning ‘able to be imitated’ …

    Modern English usage

  • 8imitate — [v] pretend to be; do an impression of act like, affect, ape, assume, be like, borrow, burlesque, carbon*, caricature, clone, copy, counterfeit, ditto*, do like*, do likewise, duplicate, echo, emulate, falsify, feign, follow, follow in footsteps* …

    New thesaurus

  • 9imitate — 01. My friend can [imitate] the teacher s voice so well that if you don t see him when he s doing it, you think it is her. 02. There is an expression that says that [imitation] is the sincerest form of flattery. 03. Francois de La Rouchefoucauld… …

    Grammatical examples in English

  • 10imitate — imitator, n. /im i tayt /, v.t., imitated, imitating. 1. to follow or endeavor to follow as a model or example: to imitate an author s style; to imitate an older brother. 2. to mimic; impersonate: The students imitated the teacher behind her back …

    Universalium