Part 41

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Im"i*ta*ble (?), a. [L. imitabilis: cf. F. imitable. See Imitate.] 1. Capable of being imitated or copied.

The characters of man placed in lower stations of life are more usefull, as being imitable by great numbers.

Atterbury.

2. Worthy of imitation; as, imitable character or qualities. Sir W. Raleigh.

Im"i*ta*ble*ness, n. The state or quality of being imitable; worthness of imitation.

Im"i*tan*cy (?), n. [From L. imitans, p. pr. of imitare.] Tendency to imitation. [R.] Carlyle.

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.

Despise wealth and imitate a dog.

Cowlay.

2. To produce a semblance or likeness of, in form, character, color, qualities, conduct, manners, and the like; to counterfeit; to copy.

A place picked out by choice of best alive The Nature's work by art can imitate.

Spenser.

This hand appeared a shining sword to weild, And that sustained an imitated shield.

Dryden.

3. (Biol.) To resemble (another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object) in form, color, ornamentation, or instinctive habits, so as to derive an advantage thereby; sa, when a harmless snake imitates a venomous one in color and manner, or when an odorless insect imitates, in color, one having secretion offensive to birds.

Im"i*ta"tion (?), n. [L. imitatio: cf. F. 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. (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.

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.

Im`i*ta"tion*al (?), a. Pertaining to, or employed in, imitation; as, imitational propensities.

Im"i*ta*tive (?), a. [L. imitavitus: cf. F. imitatif.] 1. Inclined to imitate, copy, or follow; imitating; exhibiting some of the qualities or characteristics of a pattern or model; dependent on example; not original; as, man is an imitative being; painting is an imitative art.

2. Formed after a model, pattern, or original.