Mimic

{ Mim"ic (?), 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.

Man is, of all creatures, the most mimical.

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.

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

Mimic beetle (Zoöl.), a beetle that feigns death when disturbed, esp. the species of Hister and allied genera.

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.

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.

Mim"ic, n. One who imitates or mimics, especially one who does so for sport; a copyist; a buffoon. Burke.