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mim·ic (mĭmĭk)
Share:
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.
b. To copy or imitate so as to ridicule; mock: always mimicking the boss. See Synonyms at imitate.
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.
 

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

    Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

    Indo-European Roots

    Semitic Roots

    The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.