from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Imitative \Im"i*ta*tive\, a. [L. imitavitus: cf. F. imitatif.]
1. Inclined to imitate, copy, or follow; imitating;
exhibiting some of the qualities or characteristics of a
pattern or model; dependent on example; not original; as,
man is an imitative being; painting is an imitative art.
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2. Formed after a model, pattern, or original.
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This temple, less in form, with equal grace,
Was imitative of the first in Thrace. --Dryden.
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3. (Nat. Hist.) Designed to imitate another species of
animal, or a plant, or inanimate object, for some useful
purpose, such as protection from enemies; having
resemblance to something else; as, imitative colors;
imitative habits; dendritic and mammillary forms of
minerals are imitative. -- {Im"i*ta*tive*ly}, adv. --
{Im"i*ta*tive*ness}, n.
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