IMITATION • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Imitation

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/ˌɪmətˈeɪʃən/ Listen

noun

Imitation n.

1.

The act of imitating. "Poesy is an art of imitation,... that is to say, a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth."

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."

3.

(Mus.) 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.

(Biol.) The act of condition of imitating another species of animal, or a plant, or unanimate object. See Imitate, v. t., 3. Note: Imitation is often used adjectively to characterize 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.

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Etymology of 'Imitation'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Imitation" Quotes from Famous Books

... isn't genuine," he said, disappointed. "But it's a very clever imitation of antique colonial. It is really ...

— The Gay Rebellion • Robert W. Chambers

... imitation of Mrs. B.; and imitation is the sincerest flattery," I commented. "I'll tell ...

— Such is Life • Joseph Furphy

... had to run round a high pole at the end of a cord. He had one meal a day, consisting of one dish; he rode on horseback, and he shot with a cross-bow. On every fitting occasion he had to exercise himself, in imitation of his father, in gaining strength of will; and every evening he used to write, in a book reserved for that purpose, an account of how he had spent the day, and what were his ideas on the subject. Ivan Petrovich, on his side, ...

— Liza - "A nest of nobles" • Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev

... responsibility, slowness of action, and indecision, whereas a small staff implies activity and concentration of purpose. The smallness of General Grant's staff throughout the civil war forms the best model for future imitation. So of tents, officers furniture, etc., etc. In real war these should all be discarded, and an army is efficient for action and motion exactly in the inverse ratio of its impedimenta. Tents should be omitted altogether, save one to ...

— The Memoirs of General W. T. Sherman, Complete • William T. Sherman

... with the world of our minority. For each individual there is a period, varying largely in extent, during which his existence is chiefly a process of imitation. In the sphere of expression, that submission to authority extends well over the entire period of gestation, well into the time of physical maturity. There are few men, few great artists, even, who do not, ...

— Musical Portraits - Interpretations of Twenty Modern Composers • Paul Rosenfeld

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