1550s, from French imitable (16c.), from Latin imitabilis "that may be imitated," from imitari "to copy, portray" (from PIE root *aim- "to copy"). Related: Imitability.
Entries linking to imitable
*aim-
Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to copy."
It forms all or part of: emulate; emulation; emulous; image; imaginary; imagination; imaginative; imagine; imago; imitable; imitate; imitative; imitator; inimitable.
It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Latin imago "image," aemulus "emulous," imitari "to copy, portray, imitate;" Hittite himma- "imitation, substitute."
inimitable adj.
late 15c., from Latin inimitabilis "that cannot be imitated," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + imitabilis "imitable" (see imitable). Related: Inimitably.