noun
emulation
em-yuh-LAY-shun/ˌemjuˈleɪʃn/
Imitating another in an effort to match its qualities or performance.
The young woodworker's emulation of the polished bird guides his own careful carving.
Etymology
Built on a verb meaning to rival or strive to excel, emulation names imitation driven by competition. The admired person or achievement becomes a standard to match or surpass, rather than merely a pattern to copy.
In context
work was in part an homage and in part an emulation of a country that he admired and above all of a service that he considered the exemplar in the field of naval activity
More examples
- Young painters often develop their skills through emulation of artists they admire.
- The software uses emulation to run games designed for older computers.
- In emulation of her mentor, she gives every student detailed feedback.
Forms
emulation · emulations
emulate verb — Imitate to match or surpass another.
emulator noun — Someone or something that imitates another.
Similar words
- imitation
- Copying without necessarily trying to match another's excellence or performance.
- mimicry
- Copying recognizable traits, often for amusement or disguise.
- simulation
- Modeling behavior or conditions without necessarily reproducing full functionality.