Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Imitative \Im"i*ta*tive\, a. [L. imitavitus: cf. F. imitatif.]
   1. Inclined to imitate, copy, or follow; imitating;
      exhibiting some of the qualities or characteristics of a
      pattern or model; dependent on example; not original; as,
      man is an imitative being; painting is an imitative art.

   2. Formed after a model, pattern, or original.

            This temple, less in form, with equal grace, Was
            imitative of the first in Thrace.     --Dryden.

   3. (Nat. Hist.) Designed to imitate another species of
      animal, or a plant, or inanimate object, for some useful
      purpose, such as protection from enemies; having
      resamblance to something else; as, imitative colors;
      imitative habits; dendritic and mammillary forms of
      minerals are imitative. -- {Im"i*ta*tive*ly}, adv. --
      {Im"i*ta*tive*ness}, n.