I. ˈemyəˌlāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin aemulatus, past participle of aemulari, from aemulus rivaling, envious, akin to Greek aitia cause — more at etiology
transitive verb
1.
a. : to strive to equal or excel : imitate with the intention of equaling or outdoing
a simplicity emulated without success by numerous modern poets — T.S.Eliot
b. : imitate
book-covering materials which one way or another emulate leather — Book Production
some of the early Protestant congregations emulated this custom, but soon gave up the practice — American Guide Series: Louisiana
2. obsolete : to be jealous of : envy
3. : to equal or approach equality with : rival
her companions she loved and admired, but could not emulate , for they were wise about things she knew not of — Rose Macaulay
modern watercolor in the West, when it tries, as it often does, to emulate the force and solidity of oil painting, only succeeds in sacrificing its own special felicities — Laurence Binyon
he became president … at the age of 32, emulating his father's election to the post when he was 34 — H.T.Brundidge
intransitive verb
obsolete : strive , endeavor
II. adjective
Etymology: Latin aemulatus, past participle
obsolete : emulous
III. transitive verb
: to imitate (a different computer system) by means of an emulator