To strive to equal or excel by imitating; to copy someone's actions or achievements with the goal of matching or surpassing them. It implies respectful imitation driven by admiration.
From Latin 'aemulari' meaning 'to rival or strive to equal,' related to 'aemulus' (rival). Unlike mere copying, emulation historically implied competitive aspiration - trying to match or exceed someone's excellence.
Emulate contains 'emu' - think of how young emus follow their parents, copying every step to learn survival skills. But emulation goes beyond mimicking; it's copying with the ambitious goal of becoming just as good or better.
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