1530s, a back-formation from imitation or imitator, or else from Latin imitatus, past participle of imitari "to copy, portray" (from PIE root *aim- "to copy"). Related: Imitated; imitating. An Old English word for this was æfterhyrigan.
The mime imitated the passers-by
Life imitate art
imbroglio
imbrue
imbue
imburse
imitable
imitate
imitation
imitative
imitator
immaculacy
immaculate