tr.v. mim·icked, mim·ick·ing, mim·ics 1. a. To copy or imitate closely, especially in speech, expression, and gesture: a girl who naturally mimics her older sister. 2. To reproduce or simulate: "Scientists figured out how to mimic conditions in the bowels of the earth and began fabricating ... synthetic diamonds" (Natalie Angier). 3. a. To resemble by biological mimicry: an insect that mimics a twig. b. To have a similar structure, action, or effect as: a drug that mimics a compound in the body. c. To produce symptoms like those of (a disease). d. To produce (symptoms) like those produced by a different disease. n. One that imitates, especially: a. One who copies or mimics others, as for amusement. b. One who practices the art of mime. c. An organism that resembles another by mimicry. d. A chemical having a structure, action, or effect like that of another. e. A disease or disorder producing symptoms like those of another. adj. 1. Relating to or characteristic of a mimic or mimicry. 2. Make-believe; mock: a mimic battle. [From Latin mīmicus, mimic, from Greek mīmikos, from mīmos, imitator, mime.] mimick·er n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.