Imitators

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals or entities that attempt to replicate or reproduce the actions, behaviors, or qualities of another
2. People or organisms that mimic the characteristics or actions of others, often in an effort to gain advantage or acceptance
3. Those who seek to emulate or copy the styles, methods, or traits of others, often lacking originality in their approach

Etymology: "Imitators" is simply the plural of "imitator," so it shares its history: the singular entered English from French "imitateur," which in turn came from Latin "imitātor," a person who copies or follows another. The Latin root is "imitari," "to imitate," and the ending "-or" marks the doer of the action, much as "actor" or "author" do. In other words, the word names a person defined entirely by the act of copying. Its path into English ran through French, which had already reshaped the Latin agent noun into "imitateur," so the word arrived as a borrowing rather than being built directly from Latin inside English. Its meaning has stayed close to that original sense of someone who mimics or follows a model.

Synonyms: copyists, mimics, impersonators

Antonyms: originators