Copying or imitating someone's behavior, often in an exaggerated or mocking way.
From Middle English 'ape' (the animal), with verbs formed from animal names often meaning to behave like that animal; the -ing suffix creates the present participle.
Apes really can imitate humans, and humans imitate apes—primatologist Jane Goodall discovered that apes have distinct cultures and teach behaviors to their young, just like we do.
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