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.
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
Example Sentences
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 WebWhat happened was that Desdemona, through some sort of technology-meets-jazz-fusion kismet, hit him with a reasonable facsimile of his own words at just the right moment.New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 Each volume is housed in a sturdy slipcase and comes with a significant extra — a separate facsimile of the actual issue in which the superhero first appeared. Michael Dirda, Washington Post, 6 July 2022 After surveying the inventory at the Gucci store, Ms. Glaum-Lathbury headed down to Canal Street to peruse the knockoffs being hawked to tourists — people who longed for the status conferred by a Gucci handbag, or at least a convincing facsimile.New York Times, 24 May 2022 For example, what appears to be a mannequin might actually be a real person or at least a facsimile of one. Scott Luxor, sun-sentinel.com, 8 Oct. 2021 Still, the new recording is more a facsimile than an addendum. Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 17 Nov. 2021 But that game plan would produce a weak facsimile of Mississippi State, a team that Alabama held to nine points this season. Christopher Smith, al, 8 Nov. 2021 The space has a sparse, futuristic feel; there’s a 3D print facsimile of a boulder from the Alps that is supposed to symbolize the synthesis of technological innovation, appreciation for the natural world, and Swiss charisma. Martin Fritz Huber, Outside Online, 6 Oct. 2021 The finding, published last October in Nature Neuroscience, suggests that in many cases, a memory isn’t a facsimile of past perceptions that gets replayed.Quanta Magazine, 8 Feb. 2022 See More
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.")