No, “simile” and “simulation” do not share the exact same etymology, but they are related through their roots in the Latin word similis (“like, resembling”). Here’s a breakdown of their etymological connections and distinctions:
1. Simile
- Etymology: The word “simile” comes directly from the Latin simile, meaning “a like thing” or “comparison,” which is the neuter form of similis (“like, similar, resembling”) [1][3][5].
- Meaning: A simile is a rhetorical figure of speech that explicitly compares two different things using words like “as” or “like” (e.g., “Her smile was like the sun”) [1][9].
2. Simulation
- Etymology: “Simulation” comes from the Latin simulātiōnem (nominative simulātiō), meaning “imitation, feigning, pretense.” This derives from the verb simulāre, which means “to imitate” or “to make like,” itself rooted in similis (“like, resembling”) [2][4][10].
- Meaning: Simulation refers to the act of imitating or replicating a system, process, or appearance. It can also imply pretense or feigned behavior (e.g., a computer simulation or a false display) [2][4][6].
Key Differences
| Aspect | Simile | Simulation |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Directly from simile (Latin neuter form) | From simulātiōnem (Latin noun form) |
| Core Idea | Comparison between two things | Imitation or replication of something |
| Usage | Rhetorical/literary device | Practical/technical application or behavior |
Conclusion
While both words trace their roots to the Latin similis, their meanings and applications diverged over time. Simile focuses on explicit comparisons in language, while simulation emphasizes imitation or replication in various contexts. Therefore, they are related etymologically but represent distinct concepts.
引用:
[1] Origin and Definition of Simile; Figure of Speech – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lY2kpZxiuE
[2] Etymology of simulation by etymonline https://www.etymonline.com/word/simulation
[3] Simile Definition & Meaning – YourDictionary https://www.yourdictionary.com/simile
[4] Simulation Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary https://www.yourdictionary.com/simulation
[5] Etymology of simile by etymonline https://www.etymonline.com/word/simile
[6] Etymology of simulate by etymonline https://www.etymonline.com/word/simulate
[7] How to … Identify a Simile When You Come Across One in Literature https://www.literature-no-trouble.com/how-to-identify-a-simile-when-you-come-across-one-in-literature/
[8] simulation, n. meanings, etymology and more https://www.oed.com/dictionary/simulation_n
[9] Simile – Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Similie
[10] simulation – Wiktionary, the free dictionary https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/simulation