Word Study
simulacrum
CIDE DICTIONARY
simulacrum, n. [L. See Simulate.].
A likeness; a semblance; a mock appearance; a sham; -- now usually in a derogatory sense. [1913 Webster]
"Beneath it nothing but a great simulacrum." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
simulacrum, n. (pl. simulacra)
1 an image of something.
2 a a shadowy likeness; a deceptive substitute. b mere pretence.
1 an image of something.
2 a a shadowy likeness; a deceptive substitute. b mere pretence.
Etymology
L (as SIMULATE)
THESAURUS
simulacrum
Prospero, acting, affectation, airiness, ally, alter ego, analogon, analogue, angle, appearance, aspect, associate, attitudinizing, bluff, bluffing, brother, certified copy, cheat, cheating, clinquant, close copy, close match, cognate, color, coloring, companion, complement, configuration, congenator, congener, coordinate, copy, correlate, correlative, correspondent, counterfeit, counterpart, dead ringer, deception, delusion, delusiveness, disguise, dissemblance, dissembling, dissimulation, double, dummy, duplicate, ectype, effect, effigy, eidolon, equivalent, ersatz, exact likeness, facade, face, facet, fair copy, faithful copy, fake, fakement, fakery, faking, fallaciousness, false air, false appearance, false front, false light, false show, falseness, falsity, fashion, feature, feigning, feint, fellow, figure, forgery, form, four-flushing, frame-up, fraud, front, gestalt, gilt, gloss, guise, hoax, humbug, humbuggery, icon, idealization, idol, illusionism, illusionist, illusiveness, image, imago, imitation, immateriality, impostor, imposture, impression, junk, kindred spirit, light, like, likeness, lineaments, living image, living picture, look, magic, magic act, magic show, magician, manner, masquerade, match, mate, meretriciousness, miniature, mirroring, mock, model, near duplicate, obverse, ostentation, outward show, parallel, paste, pasticcio, pastiche, pendant, phase, phasis, phony, photograph, picture, pinchbeck, playacting, portrait, pose, posing, posture, prestidigitation, pretense, pretension, pretext, put-on, put-up job, reciprocal, reference, reflection, regard, representation, resemblance, respect, ringer, rip-off, rubbing, second self, seeming, semblance, shadow, sham, shape, shoddy, show, showing, side, similitude, simulation, sister, slant, sleight of hand, sorcerer, sorcery, soul mate, specious appearance, speciousness, spit, spit and image, spitting image, style, such, suchlike, swindle, tally, the like of, the likes of, tinsel, total effect, trace, tracing, twin, twist, unactuality, unreality, unsubstantiality, varnish, very image, very picture, view, viewpoint, whited sepulcher, window dressing, wiseFor further exploring for "simulacrum" in Webster Dictionary Online