EMULATION • DICTIONARY ONE.COM • Definition of Emulation

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/ˌɛmjəlˈeɪʃən/ Listen

noun

Emulation n.

1.

The endeavor to equal or to excel another in qualities or actions; an assiduous striving to equal or excel another; rivalry. "A noble emulation heats your breast."

2.

Jealous rivalry; envy; envious contention. "Such factious emulations shall arise."

3.

Imitation (of an admired model) for the purpose of improving one's own qualities. "(Chivalry was) an ideal which, if never met with in real life, was acknowledged by all as the highest model for emulation."

4.

(Computers) The imitation of the actions of a computer system or component, especially a processor, by means of a computer program, with the goal of predicting the behavior and performance characteristics of that system without actually manufacturing it. "1996 marked the year that emulation became a mainstream design verification tool."

Synonyms: Competition; rivalry; contest; contention; strife. Emulation, Competition, Rivalry. Competition is the struggle of two or more persons for the same object. Emulation is an ardent desire for superiority, arising from competition, but now implying, of necessity, any improper feeling. Rivalry is a personal contest, and, almost of course, has a selfish object and gives rise to envy. "Competition and emulation have honor for their basis; rivalry is but a desire for selfish gratification. Competition and emulation animate to effort; rivalry usually produces hatred. Competition and emulation seek to merit success; rivalry is contented with obtaining it."

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Etymology of 'Emulation'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Emulation" Quotes from Famous Books

... Who has not felt that he might improve a text-book? Who has not longed, in reading a glorious book, for similar brilliance? What lover of books is unmoved to an occasional effort at emulation, even if he afterwards destroy it? You who do these things, sympathize with Shirley, who, by her own hand we do confess, is bitterly disillusioned every time she tries ...

— The 1926 Tatler • Various

... better one upon its model; for my ambition, like my vanity, knew no bounds. It was a matter of course that I should be attacked by the poetic mania. I took the infection at the usual time, went through its various stages, and recovered as soon as could be expected. I discovered soon enough that emulation is not capability, and he is fortunate to whom is soonest revealed the relative extent of ...

— The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table • Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (The Physician and Poet not the Jurist)

... sur Le droit municipal... en Franche-Comte," in Memoires de la Societe d'emulation de Montbeliard, 2e serie, ...

— Mutual Aid • P. Kropotkin

... eyelids upon the tears which would come trickling through them. Even the slightest word of encouragement from Alexander Petrovitch could throw a lad into a transport of tremulous joy, and arouse in him an honourable emulation of his fellows. Boys of small capacity he did not long retain in his establishment; whereas those who possessed exceptional talent he put through an extra course of schooling. This senior class—a class composed of specially-selected pupils—was a very different ...

— Dead Souls • Nikolai Vasilievich Gogol

... with the Latin Church, before the restraint on marriage. Even that restraint gave rise to the greatest disorders before the Council of Trent, which, together with the emulation raised and the good examples given by the Reformed churches, wherever they were in view of each other, has brought on that happy amendment which we see in the Latin communion, ...

— The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. IV. (of 12) • Edmund Burke

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