%mimic%

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Mimicked p. pr. & vb. n. Mimicking. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. To imitate or ape for sport; to ridicule by imitation. [ 1913 Webster ]

The walk, the words, the gesture, could supply,
The habit mimic, and the mien belie. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) To assume a resemblance to (some other organism of a totally different nature, or some surrounding object), as a means of protection or advantage. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To ape; imitate; counterfeit; mock. [ 1913 Webster ]

{ } a. [ L. mimicus, Gr. &unr_;, fr. &unr_; mime: cf. F. mimique. See Mime. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Imitative; mimetic. [ 1913 Webster ]

Oft, in her absence, mimic fancy wakes
To imitate her. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Man is, of all creatures, the most mimical. W. Wotton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Consisting of, or formed by, imitation; imitated; as, mimic gestures. “Mimic hootings.” Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Min.) Imitative; characterized by resemblance to other forms; -- applied to crystals which by twinning resemble simple forms of a higher grade of symmetry. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Mimic often implies something droll or ludicrous, and is less dignified than imitative. [ 1913 Webster ]

Mimic beetle (Zool.), a beetle that feigns death when disturbed, esp. the species of Hister and allied genera. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. In an imitative manner. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who mimics; a mimic. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) An animal which imitates something else, in form or habits. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act or practice of one who mimics; ludicrous imitation for sport or ridicule. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Biol.) Protective resemblance; the resemblance which certain animals and plants exhibit to other animals and plants or to the natural objects among which they live, -- a characteristic which serves as their chief means of protection against enemies; imitation; mimesis; mimetism. [ 1913 Webster ]