To pretend to be another person, often by copying their voice, appearance, or behavior.
From Latin 'impersonare' meaning 'to invest with a personality, to act a part', from 'in-' (into) and 'persona' (mask, character). It was first used for actors taking on roles.
Behind 'impersonate' is the idea of putting on someone else’s mask. It can be for comedy (like impressions of celebrities) or for crime (like identity theft). Same action: stepping into another person’s ‘persona’.
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