mimicry

/ˈmɪmɪkri/
noun
  1. The act or skill of imitating someone or something, especially for humor or deception.
    • His mimicry of the boss had everyone in stitches.
    • The parrot's mimicry of human speech is astonishing.
    • Mimicry is a common defense mechanism in the animal world.
  2. In biology, the close external resemblance of an animal or plant to another animal, plant, or inanimate object, for protection or other advantage.
    • Some orchids use mimicry to attract insects for pollination.
    • Mimicry helps harmless snakes avoid predators by resembling venomous ones.
    • The butterfly uses mimicry to look like a poisonous species.
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