emulation
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (3)
- ambition to equal or excelType of ambition, aspiration
- (computer science) technique of one machine obtaining the same results as anotherType of techniqueKinds terminal emulation
- effort to equal or surpass anotherType of imitation
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: L. aemulatio: cf. F. émulation.
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.— John Dryden
2. Jealous rivalry; envy; envious contention.
Such factious emulations shall arise.— William Shakespeare
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.— Thomas Bulfinch (Mythology)
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.— Computer Design (editorial, 1998)
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.” George Crabb
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54 · with additions: GCIDE editors
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing
<architecture> When one system performs in exactly the same way as another, though perhaps not at the same speed. A typical example would be emulation of one computer by (a program running on) another. You might use an emulation as a replacement for a system whereas you would use a simulation if you just wanted to analyse it and make predictions about it.
(2003-05-22)