"simulating something else," 1846, from Latin simulantem (nominative simulans), present participle of simulare "to make like, imitate, copy" from stem of similis "like, resembling" (see similar).
Entries linking to simulant
similar adj.
"having characteristics in common," 1610s (earlier similary, 1560s), from French similaire, from a Medieval Latin extended form of Latin similis "like, resembling, of the same kind," from Old Latin semol "together" (from PIE root *sem- (1) "one; as one, together with"). The noun meaning "that which is similar" is from 1650s. Related: Similarly.