{ Mim"ic (?), Mim"ic*al (?), }
a. [L. mimicus, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; mime: cf.
F. mimique. See Mime.]
1. Imitative; mimetic.
Oft, in her absence, mimic fancy wakes
To imitate her.
Milton.
Man is, of all creatures, the most
mimical.
W. Wotton.
2. Consisting of, or formed by, imitation;
imitated; as, mimic gestures. "Mimic hootings."
Wordsworth.
3. (Min.) Imitative; characterized by
resemblance to other forms; -- applied to crystals which by twinning
resemble simple forms of a higher grade of symmetry.
&fist; Mimic often implies something droll or ludicrous,
and is less dignified than imitative.
Mimic beetle (Zoöl.), a beetle
that feigns death when disturbed, esp. the species of Hister
and allied genera.
Mim"ic, n. One who imitates or
mimics, especially one who does so for sport; a copyist; a
buffoon. Burke.
Mim"ic, v. t. [imp. & p.
p. Mimicked (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Mimicking.]
1. To imitate or ape for sport; to ridicule
by imitation.
The walk, the words, the gesture, could supply,
The habit mimic, and the mien belie.
Dryden.
2. (Biol.) To assume a resemblance to
(some other organism of a totally different nature, or some
surrounding object), as a means of protection or advantage.
Syn. -- To ape; imitate; counterfeit; mock.