emulation

/ˌɛmjəˈleɪʃən/

Other forms: emulations

Emulation is the effort to act like someone else. Your emulation of your older brother on the tennis court might create a rivalry between you, as you become a better player.

Emulation comes from the Latin aemulat- meaning "rivaled, equaled," but we usually use emulation in a non-competitive sense, like the emulation of a role model. Having a role model can be useful. Your emulation of that person can help keep you focused toward your goal. It's when that admiration turns into a competitive obsession that emulation becomes a problem. In computing, emulation is the technique used so one machine gets the same results as another.

Definitions of emulation

1. noun

   effort to equal or surpass another
   type of:

   imitation

   copying (or trying to copy) the actions of someone else
2. noun

   ambition to equal or excel
   type of:

   ambition, aspiration, dream

   a cherished desire
3. noun

   (computer science) technique of one machine obtaining the same results as another
   types:

   terminal emulation

   (computer science) having a computer act exactly like a terminal

   type of:

   technique

   a practical method or art applied to some particular task