Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to, characterized by, or exhibiting imitation or mimicry: Describes something that imitates, copies, or simulates the form, appearance, or behavior of something else.
   • Of or pertaining to mimesis: Relating to the artistic or rhetorical representation or imitation of the real world, especially in art, literature, or performance.

Usage and Examples

• General Usage:
  • The insect's mimetic appearance allows it to blend in with leaves perfectly. (Its imitative coloring provides camouflage.)
  • The artist's work is highly mimetic, capturing every detail of the urban landscape. (The work is imitative of reality.)
• In Biology:
  • Some harmless snakes have mimetic patterns that resemble those of venomous species. (Their patterns mimic dangerous ones for protection.)
• In Art and Literature:
  • The novel is praised for its mimetic quality, portraying social dynamics with great accuracy. (Its quality of imitation reflects reality closely.)

Advanced Usage

• Mimetic Theory: A concept in literary and cultural theory, often associated with René Girard, which posits that human desire is fundamentally imitative, learned by mimicking others.
  • Girard's mimetic theory suggests that conflict arises from imitating the desires of a rival.
• Mimetic Criticism: A form of literary criticism that evaluates a work based on its fidelity to the reality it represents.
  • The review employed mimetic criticism, focusing on how faithfully the play mirrored historical events.

Variants and Related Words

• Mimesis (n): The act, art, or theory of imitation or mimicry.
  • The philosopher Aristotle discussed mimesis as a fundamental principle of poetry.
• Mimetically (adv): In an imitative manner.
  • The child behaved mimetically, copying every gesture the teacher made.

Synonyms

• Imitative: Following a model or example.
• Mimic: Involving or characterized by imitation.
• Representational: Depicting or portraying something, especially in art.

Antonyms

• Original: Created directly and personally by a particular artist; not a copy.
• Nonrepresentational: (Especially in art) Not attempting to depict external reality.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Mimetic faculty: The human capacity for imitation, often discussed in anthropology and philosophy.
  • The anthropologist studied the mimetic faculty in early human development.
• Mimetic desire: A term from mimetic theory describing desire based on imitation of another's desire.
  • The character's ambition was driven purely by mimetic desire for his brother's success.

Adjective

1. exhibiting mimicry
   • mimetic coloring of a butterfly
   • the mimetic tendency of infancy- R.W.Hamilton
2. characterized by or of the nature of or using mimesis
   • a mimetic dance
   • the mimetic presentation of images