simulacrum

American  

[sim-yuh-ley-kruhm] / ˌsɪm yəˈleɪ krəm /

noun

PLURAL

simulacra

1. a slight, unreal, or superficial likeness or semblance.

2. an effigy, image, or representation.

   a simulacrum of Aphrodite.

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simulacrum British  

/ ˌsɪmjʊˈleɪkrəm /

noun

1. any image or representation of something

2. a slight, unreal, or vague semblance of something; superficial likeness

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Etymology

Origin of simulacrum

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin simulācrum “likeness, image,” equivalent to simulā(re) “to pretend, imitate” + -crum instrumental suffix; simulate

Example Sentences

Having spent hours flying over its virtual simulacrum, I knew the place well.

From The Wall Street Journal

Apparently, a lot of folks feel seeing people in the real world is too taxing, and it's easier to refract your urge for connection to an app that offers only an inch-deep simulacrum.

From Salon

The original manuscript of Hemingway’s book has not, alas, been rediscovered — Byers has created a simulacrum of sorts, an imagined version of “One Must First Endure.”

From New York Times

Trump isn't just a simulacrum, but one that feels nothing but contempt for the real thing, which often has less surface glamour than his gold-painted fakes.

From Salon

Similarly, the jokes throughout seem like they’re supposed to be laugh lines, but are really just a simulacrum of humor, quips without wit.

From New York Times