adj. 1 (often foll. by of) imitating; following a model or example. 2 counterfeit. 3 of a word: a that reproduces a natural sound (e.g. fizz). b whose sound is thought to correspond to the appearance etc. of the object or action described (e.g. blob). imitative arts painting and sculpture. imitatively adv. imitativeness n.
[ LL imitativus (as IMITATE) ]