v. 1. to determine the essential quality of.
Syn. -- specify, define, delineate, delimit. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. to set, mark, or draw the boundaries of something.
Syn. -- demarcate, delimit. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. [ L. delimitatio: cf. F. délimitation. ] The act or process of fixing limits or boundaries; limitation. Gladstone. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pref. il- not + limitation: cf. F. illimitation. ] State of being illimitable; lack of, or freedom from, limitation. Bp. Hall. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Imitated p. pr. & vb. n. Imitating ] [ L. imitatus, p. p. of imitari to imitate; of unknown origin. Cf. Image. ] 1. To follow as a pattern, model, or example; to copy or strive to copy, in acts, manners etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

Despise wealth and imitate a dog. Cowlay. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To produce a semblance or likeness of, in form, character, color, qualities, conduct, manners, and the like; to counterfeit; to copy. [ 1913 Webster ]

A place picked out by choice of best alive
The Nature's work by art can imitate. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

This hand appeared a shining sword to weild,
And that sustained an imitated shield. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Biol.) To resemble (another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object) in form, color, ornamentation, or instinctive habits, so as to derive an advantage thereby; sa, when a harmless snake imitates a venomous one in color and manner, or when an odorless insect imitates, in color, one having secretion offensive to birds. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. imitatio: cf. F. imitation. ] 1. The act of imitating. [ 1913 Webster ]

Poesy is an art of imitation, . . . that is to say, a representing, counterfeiting, or figuring forth. Sir P. Sidney. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is made or produced as a copy; that which is made to resemble something else, whether for laudable or for fraudulent purposes; likeness; resemblance. [ 1913 Webster ]

Both these arts are not only true imitations of nature, but of the best nature. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mus.) One of the principal means of securing unity and consistency in polyphonic composition; the repetition of essentially the same melodic theme, phrase, or motive, on different degrees of pitch, by one or more of the other parts of voises. Cf. Canon. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Biol.) The act of condition of imitating another species of animal, or a plant, or unanimate object. See Imitate, v. t., 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Imitation is often used adjectively to characterize things which have a deceptive appearance, simulating the qualities of a superior article; -- opposed to real or genuine; as, imitation lace; imitation bronze; imitation modesty, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Pertaining to, or employed in, imitation; as, imitational propensities. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. imitavitus: cf. F. imitatif. ] 1. Inclined to imitate, copy, or follow; imitating; exhibiting some of the qualities or characteristics of a pattern or model; dependent on example; not original; as, man is an imitative being; painting is an imitative art. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Formed after a model, pattern, or original. [ 1913 Webster ]

This temple, less in form, with equal grace,
Was imitative of the first in Thrace. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Nat. Hist.) Designed to imitate another species of animal, or a plant, or inanimate object, for some useful purpose, such as protection from enemies; having resemblance to something else; as, imitative colors; imitative habits; dendritic and mammillary forms of minerals are imitative.

-- Im"i*ta*tive*ly, adv. -- Im"i*ta*tive*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Gram.) A verb expressive of imitation or resemblance. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who imitates. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The state or office of an imitator. “Servile imitatorship.” Marston. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A woman who is an imitator. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. An imitatress. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. limitatus, p. p. of limitare to limit. See Limit, v. t. ] Bounded by a distinct line. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. limitatio: cf. F. limitation. See Limit, v. t. ] 1. The act of limiting; the state or condition of being limited; as, the limitation of his authority was approved by the council. [ 1913 Webster ]

They had no right to mistake the limitation . . . of their own faculties, for an inherent limitation of the possible modes of existence in the universe. J. S. Mill. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which limits; a restriction; a qualification; a restraining condition, defining circumstance, or qualifying conception; as, limitations of thought. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cause of error is ignorance what restraints and limitations all principles have in regard of the matter whereunto they are applicable. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A certain precinct within which friars were allowed to beg, or exercise their functions; also, the time during which they were permitted to exercise their functions in such a district. Chaucer. Latimer. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A limited time within or during which something is to be done. [ 1913 Webster ]

You have stood your limitation, and the tribunes
Endue you with the people's voice. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Law) (a) A certain period limited by statute after which the claimant shall not enforce his claims by suit. (b) A settling of an estate or property by specific rules. (c) A restriction of power; as, a constitutional limitation. Wharton. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

To know one's own limitations, to know the reach and limits of one's abilities. A. R. Wallace. [ 1913 Webster ]

adj. not marked by or given to imitation. Opposite of imitative. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. Want of limitation; failure to limit. [ 1913 Webster ]