simulation English · revision 15129

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1340|origins=la similis}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˌsɪm.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|simulacioun]], [[bor|fro|simulation|t=pretence]] and directly [[la|simulātiō|t=an imitating, feigning, hypocrisy]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from the past participle stem of [[m|la|simulō|t=to imitate]] (see [[simulate]]), from [[m|la|similis|t=like, resembling]] (see [[similar]]).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Simulating with intent to deceive, a false show: 1340 in the OED, the mid-14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A false display or surface imitation of something is from about 1380.^(OED 1989) In biology, a tendency to take on the form of something else is from 1870.^(OED 1989) The technique of imitating the behaviour of a situation or process for study is from 1947 in the OED,^(OED 1989) and a model or mock-up for experiment or training from 1954 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline) Today it is often done by computer.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1340 – feigning, pretence.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1380 – a false display.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1870 – imitative resemblance (biology).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1947 – imitation of a process.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1954 – a model for training.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The act or process of simulating.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An imitation; a [[sham]].^(AHD)

+ # The assumption of a false appearance.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A representation of a situation or process for study or training, especially on a computer.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(mathematics, computing)'' The building of a mathematical model of a process to estimate how it behaves.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[nonsimulation]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[simulator]]

+ * [[simulate]]

+ * [[similar]]

+ * [[simulacrum]]

+ * [[dissimulation]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}