ETYM Latin imitatio: cf. French imitation.
1. A copy that is presented as the original; SYN. counterfeit, forgery.
2. The act of imitating.
3. The doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations.
In music, a contrapuntal device in which a theme or motif is repeated in different vocal or instrumental parts. The strictest form of imitation is the canon, in which every voice has, in turn, exactly the same notes and rhythms as the one before it. In a fugue the subject (principal melody) is treated imitatively, before a greater degree of contrapuntal freedom occurs in a non-thematic episode (a passage linking appearances of the subject). The use of imitation in composition can be traced back to early forms of polyphony from about 1200. + prikaži više

ETYM New Lat., from Greek mimesis imitation.
1. Any disease that shows symptoms characteristic of another disease. /> 2. The imitative representation of nature and human behavior in art and literature.
3. The representation of another person's words in a speech.
4. Imitation, especially in literature and art or by animal of its surroundings, etc. + prikaži više

Imitation of one species (or group of species) by another. The most common form is Batesian mimicry (named for English naturalist H W Bates), where the mimic resembles a model that is poisonous or unpleasant to eat, and has aposematic, or warning, coloration; the mimic thus benefits from the fact that predators have learned to avoid the model. Hoverflies that resemble bees or wasps are an example. Appearance is usually the basis for mimicry, but calls, songs, scents, and other signals can also be mimicked.
In Mullerian mimicry, two or more equally poisonous or distasteful species have a similar color pattern, thereby reinforcing the warning each gives to predators. In some cases, mimicry is not for protection, but allows the mimic to prey on, or parasitize, the model.
The resemblance of an animal species to another species or to natural objects; provides concealment and protection from predators. + prikaži više