Lewis & Short

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sĭmŭlācrum, i, n. [simulo], an image formed in the likeness of a thing, a likeness, image, form, representation, semblance (class.; syn.: imago, effigies, signum).

  1. I. Lit., of images formed by art, reflected in a mirror, or seen in a dream; of apparitions, visions, etc. (the latter mostly poet. and in post-Aug. prose).
    1. A. Of images formed by art, esp. of statues of the gods, an image, figure, portrait, effigy, statue, etc.: alicujus effigiem simulacrumque servare, Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 65, § 159; cf.: statuas et imagines, non animorum simulacra sed corporum … relinquere, id. Arch. 12, 30: Helenae se pingere simulacrum velle dixit (Zeuxis), id. Inv. 2, 1, 1; cf. id. Fam. 5, 12, 7: delubra magnifica humanis consecrata simulacris, id. Rep. 3, 9, 14; but cf.: simulacrum deae non effigie humanā, Tac. H. 2, 3: deorum simulacra sanctissima, Cic. Div. in Caecil. 1, 3; so of the images of the gods, id. Verr. 2, 5, 72, § 185; Caes. B. G. 6, 16; 6, 17; id. B. C. 2, 5; 3, 105; Tac. H. 2, 3; id. A. 12, 22 al.: tueri aras simulacraque divom, Lucr. 5, 75; 5, 308: et bene facta deum frangit simulacra, id. 6, 419; Verg. A. 2, 172; Ov. M. 10, 694; 15, 658 al.; cf.: Herculis simulacrum, Liv. 9, 44 fin.: simulacra oppidorum, Cic. Pis. 25, 60; cf. pugnarum, Liv. 41, 28, 10: Balbum in triumpho omnium gentium urbiumque nomina ac simulacra duxisse, Plin. 5, 5, 5, § 36; cf. also: simulacrum celebrati diei pingere, Liv. 24, 16 fin.: montium, fluviorum, Tac. A. 2, 41.
      Poet., of the Trojan horse, Verg. A. 2, 232 (for which, effigies, id. ib. 2, 184).
        1. b. Adverb.: ad or per simulacrum (like ad similitudinem, formam), in the form of, after the pattern of: aurata aedes ad simulacrum templi Veneris collocata, Suet. Caes. 84: ad simulacrum ignium ardens Pharus, id. Flor. 4, 2, 88; cf.: ad simulacrum caelestium siderum, id. ib. 1, 2, 3: digiti per litterarum simulacra ducuntur, Sen. Ep. 94, 51.
    2. B. An image, form, shade, phantom seen in a mirror, in a dream, etc.; analogous to the Gr. εἴδωλον: quaecunque apparent nobis simulacra, Lucr. 4, 99; cf.: per aquas, quae nunc rerum simulacra videmus, id. 1, 1060: quid frustra simulacra fugacia (in aquā visa) captas? Ov. M. 3, 432.
      Of the shades or ghosts of the departed: quaedam simulacra modis pallentia miris, Lucr. 1, 123 (cf. Verg. G. 1, 477 infra); cf.: est via declivis (in Tartarum) … umbrae recentes Descendunt illac simulacraque functa sepulcris, Ov. M. 4, 435; so id. ib. 10, 14: simulacra cara parentis, id. ib. 14, 112; cf. Verg. A. 2, 772: ut bibere in somnis sitiens cum quaerit … laticum simulacra petit, etc., Lucr. 4, 1099; cf.: (canes) Expergefacti secuntur inania saepe Cervorum simulacra, id. 4, 995: simulacra inania somni, Ov. H. 9, 39: vana (noctis), id. Am. 1, 6, 9: simulacra modis pallentia miris Visa sub obscurum noctis, Verg. G. 1, 477; Sil. 3, 650 al.; cf.: ne vacua mens audita simulacra et inanes sibi metus fingeret, Plin. Ep. 7, 27, 7.
      1. 2. In the philosoph. lang. of Lucret. (like the Gr. εἴδωλον and the Lat. spectrum), the form or image of an object of sense or thought presented to the mind; a representation, idea, conception, Lucr. 2, 112; 4, 130; 4, 149 sq.
      2. 3. Of mnemonic signs, types, or emblems: ut res ipsas rerum effigies notaret atque ut locis pro cerā, simulacris pro litteris uteremur, Cic. de Or. 2, 86, 354.
      3. 4. A description, a portraiture of character: non inseram simulacrum viri copiosi (Catonis), quae dixerit referendo, Liv. 45, 25.
      4. 5. A likeness or similitude: diu disputavi, Hominem quojus rei Similem esse arbitrarer simulacrumque habere: Id repperi jam exemplum, etc., Plaut. Most. 1, 2, 6.
  2. II. In partic., with the predominant idea of mere imitation (opp. to that which is original or real), a shadow, semblance, appearance, etc.: simulacrum aliquod ac vestigium civitatis, Cic. Fam. 10, 1, 1; cf.: simulacra virtutis, id. Off. 1, 15, 46; and: haec simulacra sunt auspiciorum, auspicia nullo modo, id. Div. 2, 33, 71: libertatis, Tac. A. 1, 77: belli simulacra cientes, i.e. mock-fights, sham-fights, Lucr. 2, 41; 2, 324: pugnaeque cient simulacra sub armis, Verg. A. 5, 585; 5, 674; Sil. 16, 529; 7, 119; cf.: simulacrum navalis pugnae, Liv. 26, 51, 6; 35, 26, 2: quibusdam pugnae simulacris ad verum discrimen aciemque justam consuescimus, Quint. 2, 10, 8; so, ludicrum pugnae, Liv. 40, 9: decurrentis exercitūs, id. 44, 9: vindemiae, Tac. A. 11, 31: civilitatis particulae, Quint. 2, 15, 25: inania, id. 10, 5, 17.