1. The doctrine that representations of nature or human behaviour should be accurate imitations
   "The painter's commitment to imitation resulted in lifelike portraits"
    
2. Something copied or derived from an original
   "The knock-off handbag was a poor imitation of the designer original"
    
3. Copying (or trying to copy) the actions of someone else
   "Her imitation of the celebrity's voice was spot-on"; "The new product was a poor imitation of the original"
    
4. A representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
   "The political cartoonist drew an imitation of the president with an oversized nose";
   - caricature, impersonation

1. Not genuine or real; being an imitation of the genuine article
   "decorated with imitation palm leaves";
   - fake, false, faux, simulated

Derived forms: imitations

See also: artificial, unreal

Type of: copy, copying, doctrine, drollness, humor [US], humour [Brit, Cdn], ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought, wit, witticism, wittiness

Antonym: formalism

Encyclopedia: Imitation