The Collaborative International Dictionary
Imitative \Im"i*ta*tive\, a. [L. imitavitus: cf. F. imitatif.]
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.
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Formed after a model, pattern, or original.
This temple, less in form, with equal grace, Was imitative of the first in Thrace.
--Dryden. (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.
Wiktionary
adv. In an imitative manner.