emulation
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
The effort to match or surpass a person or achievement, typically by imitation.
In computing, the process of one computer system imitating the functions of another, allowing software to run on a different platform.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word carries a positive connotation of striving for excellence, but can imply rivalry. In computing, it is a neutral technical term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more common in formal British writing; equally technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties, with a slight edge in UK academic texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
emulation of [person/achievement]in emulation ofemulation between [parties]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A spirit of healthy emulation”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe competitive benchmarking or striving to match a market leader's success.
Academic
Common in sociology, history, and literature to describe social or artistic imitation.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; used in more formal discussions about ambition or competition.
Technical
Standard term in computing for software/hardware that mimics another system.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He sought to emulate his father's career in medicine.
- The software emulates a classic gaming console.
American English
- She worked hard to emulate her mentor's success.
- This program can emulate an older operating system.
adverb
British English
- He worked emulatively, studying his rival's every move.
- The system runs emulatively on the new hardware.
American English
- She watched emulatively, taking notes on the technique.
- The application functions emulatively within the browser.
adjective
British English
- The emulative spirit among the students was palpable.
- It was an emulative effort, not an original one.
American English
- His emulative drive pushed him to the top.
- The process is purely emulative in nature.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Her hard work was driven by emulation of her successful sister.
- The young athlete's emulation of his hero was clear.
- The company's strategy was one of emulation, closely following the market leader's innovations.
- In emulation of classical composers, he structured his symphony in four movements.
- The cultural emulation of Western lifestyles has sparked complex debates about globalisation.
- The software uses hardware emulation to run legacy applications on modern systems.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'EMUlation' – an emu can't fly but tries hard to match other birds in running. It strives to match others in a different way.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS A RACE (striving to catch up or overtake).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'эмуляция' (computing sense is correct). The striving/rivalry sense is closer to 'соперничество' or 'подражание с целью превзойти'. Avoid using 'имитация' for the positive, ambitious sense.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'emulation' to mean simple copying without the connotation of striving to equal or excel.
- Confusing 'emulation' (positive/rivalrous) with 'imitation' (neutral).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'emulation' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is generally positive, implying admiration and a desire to achieve similar excellence, though it can imply rivalry.
Imitation is neutral copying. Emulation is imitation with the specific goal of matching or surpassing the original in quality or achievement.
The related verb is 'to emulate'. 'Emulation' itself is only a noun.
Yes, in computing it is a specific technical process where one system mimics another to run its software, stripped of the competitive/rivalrous connotation.
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