| imitation | 1. The act of imitating. "Poesy is an art of imitation, . . . That is to say, a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth." (Sir P. Sidney) 2. That which is made or produced as a copy; that which is made to resemble something else, whether for laudable or for fraudulent purposes; likeness; resemblance. "Both these arts are not only true imitations of nature, but of the best nature." (Dryden) 3. One of the principal means of securing unity and consistency in polyphonic composition; the repetition of essentially the same melodic theme, phrase, or motive, on different degrees of pitch, by one or more of the other parts of voises. Cf. Canon. 4. <biology> The act of condition of imitating another species of animal, or a plant, or unanimate object. See Imitate. Imitation is often used adjectively to characterise things which have a deceptive appearance, simulating the qualities of a superior article; opposed to real or genuine; as, imitation lace; imitation bronze; imitation modesty, etc. Origin: L. Imitatio: cf. F. Imitation. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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