imitate
/ˈɪmɪteɪt/
verb
Origin
Latin
imitari — to represent, copy, or imitate
Overview
Meaning Now
- To follow as a pattern, model, or example.
- To make a copy or likeness of something; to simulate.
- To mimic the voice or gestures of another person, often for comedic effect.
Literal older meaning
to represent or copy
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
imitaten
Earliest period
late 16th century
Journey
The term stems from the Latin concept of 'imago' (image or likeness). It reflects the classical rhetorical and philosophical interest in 'mimesis' (representation of the real world in art and literature).
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*im-
“to copy, to make like”
Base denoting resemblance.
- Latin
imago
“image, likeness”
Noun form related to the root.
- Latin
imitari
“to mimic, to represent”
- Late Latin
imitatus
“copied, represented”
Past participle form.
- 16th-century English
imitate
“to copy the behavior of another”
Connections
Word parts
imit-
root
copy, likeness
-ate
suffix
forming a verb
Related across languages
French
imiter
to imitate
Spanish
imitar
to imitate
Italian
imitare
to imitate
Related words
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Related to imitate
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.