emulator
UK[ˈem.jʊ.leɪ.tər]US[ˈem.jə.leɪ.t̬ɚ]
n
A person or thing that copies the behavior or actions of another.
n
A hardware or software component that enables one computer system to behave like another, allowing it to run programs designed for the other system.
Morpheme Breakdown
emul
ator
emul
strive to equal
ator
agent noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'emulator' has a competitive heart, originating from the Latin verb aemulari, meaning "to rival, strive to equal or excel." This verb itself is derived from aemulus, an adjective for "striving to equal another, rivaling." The core concept is not mere imitation but an ambitious effort to match or surpass a model. In the mid-20th century, this term was adopted into computing to describe a system or program that strives to replicate the functions of another, perfectly capturing the original sense of rivalrous imitation through technical performance.
Analysis
Structure: emul (strive to equal) + ator (agent noun suffix)
emul (from Latin aemul-, stem of aemulus meaning "rivaling, emulating"); ator (from Latin -ator, an agent noun suffix denoting "one who does or performs an action").
Examples
The young pianist was a dedicated emulator of the maestro's expressive style.
This software acts as an emulator, allowing modern PCs to run classic video games from the 1980s.
The company's latest product is a clear emulator of its competitor's successful design.