Part 5569

<hw>Im"i*tan*cy</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[From L. <ets>imitans</ets>, p. pr. of <ets>imitare</ets>.]</ety> <def>Tendency to imitation.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<i>Carlyle.</i>

<h1>Imitate</h1> <Xpage=731>

<hw>Im"i*tate</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>v. t.</tt> <wordforms>[<tt>imp. & p. p.</tt> <er>Imitated</er> <tt>(?)</tt>; <tt>p. pr. & vb. n.</tt> <er>Imitating</er> <tt>(?)</tt>.]</wordforms> <ety>[L. <ets>imitatus</ets>, p. p. of <ets>imitari</ets> to imitate; of unknown origin. Cf. <er>Image</er>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>To follow as a pattern, model, or example; to copy or strive to copy, in acts, manners etc.</def>

<blockquote>Despise wealth and <b>imitate</b> a dog. <i>Cowlay.</i></blockquote>

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

<blockquote>A place picked out by choice of best alive The Nature's work by art can <b>imitate</b>. <i>Spenser.</i></blockquote>

<blockquote>This hand appeared a shining sword to weild, And that sustained an <b>imitated</b> shield. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Biol.)</fld> <def>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 <i>imitates</i> a venomous one in color and manner, or when an odorless insect <i>imitates</i>, in color, one having secretion offensive to birds.</def>

<h1>Imitation</h1> <Xpage=731>

<hw>Im"i*ta"tion</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>n.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>imitatio</ets>: cf. F. <ets>imitation</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>The act of imitating.</def>

<blockquote>Poesy is an art of <b>imitation</b>, . . . that is to say, a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth. <i>Sir P. Sidney.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>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.</def>

<blockquote>Both these arts are not only true <b>imitations</b> of nature, but of the best nature. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Mus.)</fld> <def>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. <er>Canon</er>.</def>

<p><b>4.</b> <fld>(Biol.)</fld> <def>The act of condition of imitating another species of animal, or a plant, or unanimate object. See <er>Imitate</er>, <tt>v. t.</tt>, 3.</def>

<note>&hand; <i>Imitation</i> is often used adjectively to characterize things which have a deceptive appearance, simulating the qualities of a superior article; -- opposed to <i>real</i> or <i>genuine</i>; as, <i>imitation</i> lace; <i>imitation</i> bronze; <i>imitation</i> modesty, etc.</note>

<h1>Imitational</h1> <Xpage=731>

<hw>Im`i*ta"tion*al</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <def>Pertaining to, or employed in, imitation; <as>as, <ex>imitational</ex> propensities</as>.</def>

<h1>Imitative</h1> <Xpage=731>

<hw>Im"i*ta*tive</hw> <tt>(?)</tt>, <tt>a.</tt> <ety>[L. <ets>imitavitus</ets>: cf. F. <ets>imitatif</ets>.]</ety> <p><b>1.</b> <def>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>as, man is an <ex>imitative</ex> being; painting is an <ex>imitative</ex> art.</as></def>

<p><b>2.</b> <def>Formed after a model, pattern, or original.</def>

<blockquote>This temple, less in form, with equal grace, Was <b>imitative</b> of the first in Thrace. <i>Dryden.</i></blockquote>

<p><b>3.</b> <fld>(Nat. Hist.)</fld> <def>Designed to imitate another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object, for some useful purpose, such as protection from enemies; having resamblance to something else; <as>as, <ex>imitative</ex> colors; <ex>imitative</ex> habits; dendritic and mammillary forms of minerals are <ex>imitative</ex>.</as></def>

-- <wordforms><wf>Im"i*ta*tive*ly</wf>, <tt>adv.</tt> -- <wf>Im"i*ta*tive*ness</wf>, <tt>n.</tt></wordforms>

<h1>Imitative</h1> <Xpage=731>

<hw>Im"i*ta*tive</hw>, <tt>n.</tt> <fld>(Gram.)</fld> <def>A verb expressive of imitation or resemblance.</def> <mark>[R.]</mark>

<h1>Imitater</h1> <Xpage=731>