mock
UK[mɒk]US[mɑːk]
v
To laugh at or make fun of someone or something by copying them in an exaggerated or insulting way.
adj
Not real, but appearing or pretending to be exactly like something.
n
An act of mocking someone or something.
Etymology
The word 'mock' entered English in the 15th century from the Old French 'moquer', meaning to deride or jest. While its deeper origins are obscure, it is possibly linked to the Latin 'moccus', a term for a jester or mimic. This etymological path reflects the core action of the verb: to imitate someone in order to ridicule them. Over time, its usage expanded to create the adjective sense, describing an imitation that is not genuine, such as a 'mock exam' or 'mock leather'.
Analysis
The word 'mock' is a simplex loanword from Old French. Its ultimate origin is uncertain but may be related to Latin 'moccus', meaning a buffoon or jester.
Examples
The children would often mock his unusual accent.
The soldiers conducted a mock battle for the visiting dignitaries.
She ignored the cruel mocks of her classmates.