facsimile

noun

fac·​sim·​i·​le fak-ˈsi-mə-lē How to pronounce facsimile (audio)
1
: an exact copy
A facsimile of the world's first computer was exhibited at the museum.
2
: a system of transmitting and reproducing graphic matter (such as printing or still pictures) by means of signals sent over telephone lines

Did you know?

The facsimile machine (or fax machine) has long been an office staple, but its name is much, much older. Fac simile is a Latin phrase meaning “make alike.” English speakers began using facsimile to mean “an exact copy” in the late 1600s. In this sense, a facsimile might be a handwritten or hand-drawn copy, or even a copy of a painting or statue. (Today, we also use the phrase “a reasonable facsimile” for a copy that is fairly close but not exact.) In the 1800s, people developed facsimile technology that could reproduce printed material via telegraph. Now, of course, we use telephone lines or wireless technology, and we usually call the resulting facsimile a fax.

Choose the Right Synonym for facsimile

reproduction, duplicate, copy, facsimile, replica mean a thing made to closely resemble another.

reproduction implies an exact or close imitation of an existing thing.

reproductions from the museum's furniture collection

duplicate implies a double or counterpart exactly corresponding to another thing.

a duplicate of a house key

copy applies especially to one of a number of things reproduced mechanically.

printed 1000 copies of the lithograph

facsimile suggests a close reproduction often of graphic matter that may differ in scale.

a facsimile of a rare book

replica implies the exact reproduction of a particular item in all details

a replica of the Mayflower

but not always in the same scale.

miniature replicas of classic cars

Examples of facsimile in a Sentence

A facsimile of the world's first computer was exhibited in the museum. the family resemblance is so strong that the boy is virtually a pint-size facsimile of his father
Recent Examples on the Web But a facsimile of the work, certified by the World Record Academy as the world’s longest love poem, is on exhibit in the building Marina once lived in. Sam Roberts, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2024 So while the mild air created a fair facsimile of early April, the dim skies seemed a reminder of reality and February. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 11 Feb. 2024 Additionally, these models can learn styles of human artists and output facsimiles, which some artists feel will threaten their livelihoods if they are someday replaced by machines. Benj Edwards, Ars Technica, 21 June 2023 The systems that generate a facsimile of a painting or photograph or whatnot are really just reflections of our own biases, and cultural and technological imaginations. TIME, 7 Feb. 2024 The pandemic sometimes feels like one, long exercise in finding facsimiles to normal-times leisure experiences. Vanessa Labi, Sacramento Bee, 31 Jan. 2024 The exhibition describes the Angel Moroni’s appearances to Smith and shows what the curators say is a best-guess facsimile of the Golden Plates on which Moroni transcribed the Book of Mormon in unknown Egyptian hieroglyphics. Brian T. Allen, National Review, 20 Jan. 2024 Makeup makes Cooper look like a close facsimile of the old Bernstein and a sort-of facsimile of the dashing younger one. Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 22 Dec. 2023 McDonald’s, by contrast, catered some offerings to the French market by introducing add-on items not in its U.S. restaurants, like croissants and a facsimile of the croque-monsieur sandwich. Liz Alderman, New York Times, 7 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'facsimile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from the Latin phrase fac simile "make alike," from fac, singular imperative of facere "to make, do, perform" + simile, neuter of similis "like, similar" — more at fact, same entry 1

Note: The phrase fac simile was well-known from its occurrence in one of the Distichs of Cato, a collection of proverbial wisdom (3rd-4th centuries a.d.) commonly used as a Latin textbook from the Middle Ages into the 18th century (though its meaning in the distich is different): "Qui simulat verbis, nec corde est fidus amicus, tu quoque fac simile—sic ars deluditur arte." ("If someone makes a pretense in speech and is not a true friend, you do likewise as well—and so art will be duped by art.")

First Known Use

1691, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of facsimile was in 1691

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Cite this Entry

“Facsimile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/facsimile. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

facsimile

noun
fac·​sim·​i·​le fak-ˈsim-ə-lē How to pronounce facsimile (audio)
1
: an exact copy
2
: a system of transmitting and reproducing printed matter or pictures by means of signals sent over telephone lines

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