imitate

I

(Roget's IV) v.

1. [To follow the example of]

Syn. emulate, follow suit, do likewise, take as a model; see follow 2 .

2. [To act like]

Syn. mimic, impersonate, mirror, copy, mime, ape, parrot, parody, mock, simulate, duplicate, assume, repeat, echo, reecho, reflect, pretend, play a part, personate, do like*, make like*, take off*, put on*; see also parody .

3. [To copy]

Syn. duplicate, counterfeit, fake; see copy 2 , reproduce 1 .

4. [To resemble]

Syn. look like, be like, simulate, parallel; see resemble .

Syn.- imitate implies the following of something as an example or model but does not necessarily connote exact correspondence with the original [ the child imitates her father's mannerisms ] ; copy implies as nearly exact imitation or reproduction as is possible [ to copy a painting ] ; mimic suggests close imitation, often in fun or ridicule [ to mimic the speech peculiarities of another ] ; mock implies imitation with the intent to deride or affront [ he mocked the teacher's gesture of rebuke ] ; ape implies close imitation either in mimicry or in servile emulation [ she aped the fashions of the court ladies ]

II

(Roget's 3 Superthesaurus) v.

copy, mimic, match, emulate, follow suit, ape, impersonate, clone, simulate, replicate, mirror, parrot, caricature, model after.

III

(Roget's Thesaurus II) verb 1. To take as a model or make conform to a model: copy, emulate, follow, model (on, upon, or after), pattern (on, upon, or after). Idioms: follow in the footsteps of, follow suit, follow the example of. See SAME. 2. To copy (the manner or expression of another), especially in an exaggerated or mocking way: ape, burlesque, caricature, mimic, mock, parody, travesty. Idiom: do a takeoff on. See SAME. 3. To copy (another) slavishly: echo, image, mimic, mirror, parrot, reflect, repeat. See SAME. 4. To make a copy of: copy, duplicate, replicate, reproduce, simulate. See SAME.