Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Mimic?

\Mim"ic\, Mimical \Mim"ic*al\, a. [L. mimicus, Gr. ?, fr. ? mime: cf. F. mimique. See {Mime}.] 1. Imitative; mimetic. Oft, in her absence, mimic fancy wakes To imitate her. --Milton. Man is, of all creatures, the most mimical. --W. Wotton. 2. Consisting of, or formed by, imitation; imitated; as, mimic gestures. ``Mimic hootings.'' --Wordsworth. 3. (Min.) Imitative; characterized by resemblance to other forms; -- applied to crystals which by twinning resemble simple forms of a higher grade of symmetry. Note: Mimic often implies something droll or ludicrous, and is less dignified than imitative. {Mimic beetle} (Zo["o]l.), a beetle that feigns death when disturbed, esp. the species of {Hister} and allied genera.
\Mim"ic\, n. One who imitates or mimics, especially one who does so for sport; a copyist; a buffoon. --Burke.
\Mim"ic\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Mimicked}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Mimicking}.] 1. To imitate or ape for sport; to ridicule by imitation. The walk, the words, the gesture, could supply, The habit mimic, and the mien belie. --Dryden. 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. Syn: To ape; imitate; counterfeit; mock.