WORD OF THE DAY 5/1/2003

simulacrum \sim-yuh-LAY-kruhm; -LAK-ruhm\, noun;
plural simulacra \sim-yuh-LAY-kruh; -LAK-ruh\:
1. An image; a representation.
2. An insubstantial, superficial, or vague likeness or
semblance.

Incorporating simulacra of historic buildings and exotic
landscapes the Emperor saw on his extensive travels through
his dominions, the villa is high-style multiculturalism.
--Martin Filler, [1]New York Times, December 3, 1995

It becomes harder... to distinguish the genuine from its
simulacrum.
--Wayne Curtis, 'The Tiki Wars,' [2]The Atlantic, February
2001

The Wilson who at last recovered some of his health was a
pale simulacrum of the man he had been.
--Louis Auchincloss, [3]Woodrow Wilson

His radiator pipe and fire hose, for example, are like
washed out ghosts of real things, waxen simulacra of
themselves.
--Harvey Blume, 'Bits of Beauty,' [4]The Atlantic, June 3,
1999
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Simulacrum is from the Latin, from simulare, 'to make like, to
put on an appearance of,' from similis, 'like.' It is related
to simulate and similar.