Origin: Latin suffix -tion
Imitation has 6 different meanings across 2 categories:
the doctrine that representations of nature or human behavior should be accurate imitations
"The actor studied every subtle gesture to ensure her portrayal was an accurate imitation of real-life grief, aligning perfectly with the theater's strict doctrine."
something copied or derived from an original
"The museum displayed a stunning imitation of the lost vase, crafted so perfectly that many visitors mistook it for the genuine artifact."
copying (or trying to copy) the actions of someone else
"The toddler spent the morning imitating his older brother by pretending to drive a car in the driveway."
a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
"The comedian's imitation of his boss left everyone laughing at how he mimicked the manager's nervous tics and high-pitched voice."
The act of imitating.
"Her imitation of her boss's nervous tics was so perfect that even he didn't notice she was mocking him."