Mimetic
adjective
Copying or imitating something, often another animal's characteristics or behaviours.
The mimetic behaviour of the butterfly allows it to fool predators and survive.
Often appears as...
- mimetic behaviour
- mimetic pattern
adjective
In arts, representing or interpreting reality in a detailed and accurate way.
His painting style is mimetic, trying to copy nature as faithfully as possible.
Often appears as...
- mimetic art
- mimetic representation
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
In biology and medicine, having a physical similarity or correspondence to a certain feature or function.
They are working on mimetic drugs that can mimic the effects of the body's natural substances.
Often appears as...
- mimetic drugs
- mimetic theory
Usage tips
Technical
adjective
Copying or imitating something, often another animal's characteristics or behaviours.
The mimetic behaviour of the butterfly allows it to fool predators and survive.
Often appears as...
- mimetic behaviour
- mimetic pattern
adjective
In arts, representing or interpreting reality in a detailed and accurate way.
His painting style is mimetic, trying to copy nature as faithfully as possible.
Often appears as...
- mimetic art
- mimetic representation
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
In biology and medicine, having a physical similarity or correspondence to a certain feature or function.
They are working on mimetic drugs that can mimic the effects of the body's natural substances.
Often appears as...
- mimetic drugs
- mimetic theory
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Survival Strategy
Mimetic in this context refers to survival techniques in animals through imitation.
Some insects show mimetic colors to blend with leaves and avoid predators.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Visual
Mimetic can also refer to behaviors or sounds, not just physical appearance.
The bird's mimetic call tricked others into thinking predators were near.
Pro Tip 3/3Human Mimicry
Sometimes 'mimetic' describes people imitating others, often unconsciously.
Children have mimetic tendencies, copying adults' gestures.
Pro Tip 1/3Survival Strategy
Mimetic in this context refers to survival techniques in animals through imitation.
Some insects show mimetic colors to blend with leaves and avoid predators.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Visual
Mimetic can also refer to behaviors or sounds, not just physical appearance.
The bird's mimetic call tricked others into thinking predators were near.
Pro Tip 3/3Human Mimicry
Sometimes 'mimetic' describes people imitating others, often unconsciously.
Children have mimetic tendencies, copying adults' gestures.
Pro Tip 1/3Survival Strategy
Mimetic in this context refers to survival techniques in animals through imitation.
Some insects show mimetic colors to blend with leaves and avoid predators.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Visual
Mimetic can also refer to behaviors or sounds, not just physical appearance.
The bird's mimetic call tricked others into thinking predators were near.
Pro Tip 3/3Human Mimicry
Sometimes 'mimetic' describes people imitating others, often unconsciously.
Children have mimetic tendencies, copying adults' gestures.
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Quote examples
Nancy Kress
American Writer
Slipstream fiction is usually defined as fiction with a contemporary setting in which story elements are mimetic (that is, seem real) - except for one or two eerie strangenesses. Unlike outright fantasy, these are not explained or integrated into an alternate-reality setting.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
Society's preservation against the unlimited violence of scandals lies in the mimetic coalition against the single victim and its ensuing limited violence. The violent death of Jesus is, humanly speaking, an example of this strange process.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
What I call a mimetic crisis is a situation of conflict so intense that on both sides people act the same way and talk the same way even though, or because, they are more and more hostile to each other.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
A mimetic crisis is when people become undifferentiated. There are no more social classes, there are no more social differences, and so forth.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
Learning that we have a scapegoat is to lose it forever and to expose ourselves to mimetic conflicts with no possible resolution.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
The myth-making machine is the mimetic contagion that disappears behind the myth it generates.
Quote examples
Nancy Kress
American Writer
Slipstream fiction is usually defined as fiction with a contemporary setting in which story elements are mimetic (that is, seem real) - except for one or two eerie strangenesses. Unlike outright fantasy, these are not explained or integrated into an alternate-reality setting.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
Society's preservation against the unlimited violence of scandals lies in the mimetic coalition against the single victim and its ensuing limited violence. The violent death of Jesus is, humanly speaking, an example of this strange process.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
What I call a mimetic crisis is a situation of conflict so intense that on both sides people act the same way and talk the same way even though, or because, they are more and more hostile to each other.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
A mimetic crisis is when people become undifferentiated. There are no more social classes, there are no more social differences, and so forth.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
Learning that we have a scapegoat is to lose it forever and to expose ourselves to mimetic conflicts with no possible resolution.
Quote examples
Rene Girard
French Historian
The myth-making machine is the mimetic contagion that disappears behind the myth it generates.
Example 1 of 6
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