\Im"i*ta"tion\, n. [L. imitatio: cf. F. imitation.]
1. The act of imitating.
         Poesy is an art of imitation, . . . that is to say,
         a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth.
                                               --Sir P.
                                               Sidney.
2. That which is made or produced as a copy; that which is
   made to resemble something else, whether for laudable or
   for fraudulent purposes; likeness; resemblance.
         Both these arts are not only true imitations of
         nature, but of the best nature.       --Dryden.
3. (Mus.) One of the principal means of securing unity and
   consistency in polyphonic composition; the repetition of
   essentially the same melodic theme, phrase, or motive, on
   different degrees of pitch, by one or more of the other
   parts of voises. Cf. {Canon}.
4. (Biol.) The act of condition of imitating another species
   of animal, or a plant, or unanimate object. See {Imitate},
   v. t., 3.
Note: Imitation is often used adjectively to characterize
      things which have a deceptive appearance, simulating
      the qualities of a superior article; -- opposed to
      {real} or {genuine}; as, imitation lace; imitation
      bronze; imitation modesty, etc.