/ ˈsɪmjuleɪt; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to pretend that you have a particular feeling
SYN feign :
I tried to simulate surprise at the news.
2.
to create particular conditions that exist in real life using computers, models, etc., usually for study or training purposes :
Computer software can be used to simulate conditions on the seabed.
3.
to be made to look like sth else :
a gas heater that simulates a coal fire
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 17th cent. (earlier ( Middle English ) as simulation ): from Latin simulat- copied, represented, from the verb simulare , from similis like.