Imitative | a. [ L. imitavitus: cf. F. imitatif. ] 1. Inclined to imitate, copy, or follow; imitating; exhibiting some of the qualities or characteristics of a pattern or model; dependent on example; not original; as, man is an imitative being; painting is an imitative art. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. Formed after a model, pattern, or original. [ 1913 Webster ] This temple, less in form, with equal grace, Was imitative of the first in Thrace. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. (Nat. Hist.) Designed to imitate another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object, for some useful purpose, such as protection from enemies; having resemblance to something else; as, imitative colors; imitative habits; dendritic and mammillary forms of minerals are imitative. -- Im"i*ta*tive*ly, adv. -- Im"i*ta*tive*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ] |