mimicry

Everyday

1. Mimicry is copying the way someone talks, moves or behaves, often to make people laugh. tree →
2. (science) Mimicry is when a living thing looks or sounds like another thing to protect itself or to trick others, like a harmless hoverfly that looks like a wasp. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on adaptation, mimicry helps animals survive: hoverflies copy wasp stripes, some caterpillars look like snakes, the lyrebird copies chainsaws and camera clicks, stick insects look like twigs (that is camouflage, a close idea). In drama and everyday life, mimicry is doing impressions of people; making fun of someone in a hurtful way is unkind. Phrases: «a talent for mimicry», «vocal mimicry», «animal mimicry».

Examples

• The hoverfly's stripes are an example of mimicry. tree →
• Parrots are famous for their mimicry of human speech. tree →
• The lyrebird's mimicry can copy a car alarm. tree →
• His mimicry of the head teacher made the class giggle. tree →
• Mimicry helps harmless animals look dangerous. tree →
• Some orchids use mimicry to look like bees. tree →

Note

Uncountable. Verb: «mimic, mimics, mimicked, mimicking» (add k before -ed and -ing). Mimicry (looking like another animal) is not the same as camouflage (blending into the background), though both help animals hide or survive.