imitate

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   reproduce someone's behavior or looks

   The mime imitated the passers-by

2. 2
   verb

   appear like, as in behavior or appearance

   Life imitate art

3. 3
   verb

   To follow as a model or a pattern; to make a copy, counterpart or semblance of.

   Another bird quickly learned to imitate the song of a canary that was mated with it, but as the parrakeet improved in the performance the canary degenerated, and came at last to mingle the other bird's harsh chitterings with its own proper music.

4. 4
   verb

   make a reproduction or copy of

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin imitātus, perfect active participle of imitor (“to copy, portray, imitate”), see -ate (verb-forming suffix). Cognate with French imiter.