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imitation Definition

imi·ta·tion (im′i tās̸hən)

noun

  1. the act of imitating
    1. the result or product of imitating; artificial likeness; copy
    2. a counterfeit
  2. Biol. mimicry (sense )
  3. Music the repetition in close succession of a theme or theme fragment in a different voice: used often as a technique of counterpoint
  4. Philos.
    1. in Platonism, the process wherein sensible objects imperfectly embody unchanging, immaterial models or archetypes
    2. in Aristotelianism, artistic portrayal not as literal copying but as representation of the essential nature of something

Etymology: L imitatio

adjective

made to resemble something specified, usually something superior or genuine; not real; sham; bogus imitation leather

imitation Synonyms

imitation

modif.

copied, feigned, simulated, bogus; see artificial 1, false 3.

imitation Synonyms

imitation

n.

  1. The act of imitating

    simulation, counterfeiting, copying, duplication, reproduction, emulation, patterning after, picturing, representing, mimicry, aping, impersonation, impression, parody, paraphrasing, parroting, echoing, matching, mirroring, paralleling; see also parody, reproduction 1.

  2. An object made by imitating

    counterfeit, copy, simulacrum, sham, fake, picture, replica, facsimile, echo, reflection, match, parallel, opposite number, animation, resemblance, transcription, image, mockery, takeoff, substitution, forgery, artist's copy, ersatz, knockoff*; see also copy, duplicate, reproduction 2.

    Antonyms original, novelty*, pattern.

imitation Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • reality: The most pernicious imitations of reality are those which deliberately supress negative aspects of life.
  • nature: The one is about the imitation of nature; the other is about shapes.
  • style: PARODY An imitation of a particular style with the intent to mock or amuse.
  • voice: The use of imitations of voices, therefore, violates the actors ' personality rights.
  • sound: Imitations of non-musical sounds are a major ingredient of referential humor in music.

Converse of object

  • spawn: After nearly taking over the ring-tone market and spawning numerous imitations, a single was released.
  • accept: With over 4 years of online experience, accept no imitations!
  • attempt: Which is a roundabout way of saying I'm about to pinch Mark's idea and attempt a pale imitation of it here.

Adjective modifier

  • passable: It can be a bit like early flicks with people doing a passable imitation of Charlie Chaplin.
  • slavish: Not that these hints of Chandler in any way suggest slavish imitation.
  • pale: Now renamed simply Hancock, the season was overall a pale imitation of its former glory.
  • second-class: The two sets second-class imitation of not the compound.
  • unconscious: He hissed through his teeth, in unconscious imitation of a popular favorite in melodrama, " Him shall she never wed!
  • cheap: Not real ones, just cheap imitations, clip on ones.

Modifies a noun

  • firearm: Sections 36 to 41 deal with the misuse of imitation firearms.
  • ivory: In blackwood with imitation ivory mounts Made in Eire.
  • leather: A large Little Goth Girl bag suitable for school books made from imitation leather.
  • gun: Two of the men were in possession of imitation guns.
  • jewelry: Imitation jewelry that looked like the real thing became part of the fashionable woman's wardrobe.
  • diamond: Had the dome robbers been successful in their plan they would only have stolen an imitation diamond.

Browse dictionary entries near imitation

  1. imitating
  2. imitated
  3. imitate
  4. imit.
  5. imipramine
  6. imino-
  7. imino
  8. imine
  9. imido-
  10. imido
  1. imitative
  2. imitator
  3. immaculate
  4. Immaculate Conception
  5. immane
  6. immanent
  7. immanentism
  8. Immanuel
  9. immaterial
  10. immaterialism