Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

imitational

 - 3 dictionary results

im⋅i⋅ta⋅tion

  [im-i-tey-shuhn]
Use imitational in a Sentence
–noun
1. a result or product of imitating.
2. the act of imitating.
3. a counterfeit; copy.
4. a literary composition that imitates the manner or subject of another author or work.
5. Biology. mimicry.
6. Psychology. the performance of an act whose stimulus is the observation of the act performed by another person.
7. Sociology. the copying of patterns of activity and thought of other groups or individuals.
8. Art.
a. (in Aristotelian aesthetics) the representation of an object or an action as it ought to be.
b. the representation of actuality in art or literature.
9. Music. the repetition of a melodic phrase at a different pitch or key from the original or in a different voice part.
–adjective
10. designed to imitate a genuine or superior article or thing: imitation leather.
11. Jewelry. noting an artificial gem no part of which is of the true gemstone. Compare assembled, synthetic (def. 5).
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L imitātiōn- (s. of imitātiō). See imitate, -ion

Related forms:
im⋅i⋅ta⋅tion⋅al, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To imitational
im·i·ta·tion   (ĭm'ĭ-tā'shən)   
n.  

  1. The act or an instance of imitating.

  2. Something derived or copied from an original.

  3. Music

    1. Repetition of a phrase or melody often with variations in key, rhythm, and voice.

    2. Repetition of a theme in another voice such that each part continues polyphonously.

adj.  Made to resemble another, usually superior material: imitation fur.
im'i·ta'tion·al adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

imitation 
1502, from O.Fr. imitacion, from L. imitationem (nom. imitatio) "imitation," from imitari "to copy, portray, imitate," from PIE *im-eto-, from base *aim- "copy." (Related to L. imago, see image). The verb imitate is first recorded 1534.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see imitational on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way