mimicry

[mim-ik-ree] /ˈmɪm ɪk ri/

noun, plural mimicries.

the act, practice, or art of mimicking.

Biology. the close external resemblance of an organism, the mimic, to some different organism, the model, such that the mimic benefits from the mistaken identity, as seeming to be unpalatable or harmful.

an instance, performance, or result of mimicking.

Origin

1680-90; mimic + -ry

Examples from the web for mimicry

It must have to do with the cultural mimicry you describe.
Each of these images contains one or more creatures exhibiting some form of mimicry behavior.
Researchers find that mimicry makes digital avatars more credible and persuasive.
Many creatures have evolved protective forms of mimicry.
Distance-dependent costs and benefits of aggressive mimicry in a cleaning symbiosis.
And he could be wickedly funny, with impeccable mimicry and timing.
mimicry is a well-known trick in the animal kingdom.
Studies so far point to what psychologists call facial mimicry.
But if the students put a pencil in their mouth, they could no longer rely on their mimicry.
It's an idealized take on the past, so much feckless mimicry.

British Dictionary definitions for mimicry

mimicry

/ˈmɪmɪkrɪ/

noun (pl) -ries

the act or art of copying or imitating closely; mimicking

the resemblance shown by one animal species, esp an insect, to another, which protects it from predators

Word Origin and History for mimicry

1680s, from mimic + -ry. Zoological sense is from 1861.

mimicry in Medicine

mimicry mim·ic·ry (mĭm'ĭ-krē)
n.
The resemblance of one organism to another or to an object in its surroundings for concealment and protection.

mimicry in Science

mimicry

(mĭm'ĭ-krē)
The resemblance of one organism to another or to an object in its surroundings for concealment or protection from predators. See also aggressive mimicry, Batesian mimicry, Müllerian mimicry.