mimicry Definition
- 1the action or skill of imitating someone or something, especially in order to entertain or ridicule
- 2the close external resemblance of an animal or plant (or part of one) to another, which provides protection from predators
Using mimicry: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mimicry" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was famous for his mimicry of famous politicians.
Example
The butterfly's mimicry of a poisonous species keeps predators away.
Example
The bird's mimicry of a snake's hiss scares off potential threats.
mimicry Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for mimicry
Antonyms for mimicry
Phrases with mimicry
Batesian mimicry
a type of mimicry where a harmless species has evolved to imitate the warning signals of a harmful species to deter predators
Example
The hoverfly's Batesian mimicry of a wasp helps it avoid being eaten by birds.
Example
The comedian was known as a great mimicry artist, able to impersonate famous celebrities with ease.
a phenomenon where unrelated species evolve to look similar due to similar environmental pressures
Example
The different species of poison dart frogs have evolved to have similar bright colors and patterns, a result of mimicry syndrome.
Origins of mimicry
from the Greek word 'mimikos', meaning 'imitative'
Summary: mimicry in Brief
Mimicry [ˈmɪmɪkri] refers to the act of imitating someone or something, often for entertainment or ridicule. It can also describe the close resemblance of an animal or plant to another, providing protection from predators. Examples include a comedian's mimicry of famous politicians and a butterfly's mimicry of a poisonous species. Mimicry can also be classified into types such as Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species imitates a harmful one, and mimicry syndrome, where unrelated species evolve to look similar due to similar environmental pressures.
