From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Imitation \Im"i*ta"tion\, n. [L. imitatio: cf. F. imitation.]
1. The act of imitating.
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Poesy is an art of imitation, . . . that is to say,
a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth.
--Sir P.
Sidney.
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2. That which is made or produced as a copy; that which is
made to resemble something else, whether for laudable or
for fraudulent purposes; likeness; resemblance.
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Both these arts are not only true imitations of
nature, but of the best nature. --Dryden.
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3. (Mus.) One of the principal means of securing unity and
consistency in polyphonic composition; the repetition of
essentially the same melodic theme, phrase, or motive, on
different degrees of pitch, by one or more of the other
parts of voises. Cf. Canon.
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4. (Biol.) The act of condition of imitating another species
of animal, or a plant, or unanimate object. See Imitate,
v. t., 3.
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Note: Imitation is often used adjectively to characterize
things which have a deceptive appearance, simulating
the qualities of a superior article; -- opposed to
real or genuine; as, imitation lace; imitation
bronze; imitation modesty, etc.
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