facsimile

noun

fac·​sim·​i·​le fak-ˈsi-mə-lē 

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.

Synonyms

• alter ego
• carbon
• carbon copy
• clone
• counterpart
• doppelgänger
• doppelganger
• double
• duplicate
• duplication
• fetch
• image
• likeness
• look-alike
• match
• mirror image
• picture
• replica
• ringer
• spit
• spitting image
• twin

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

That would maximize their 3-point shooting threat, with as close of a movement-shooting facsimile to Thompson as there is. —Danny Emerman, The Mercury News, 9 Oct. 2024

And while the specter of Mach’s Haitian ancestry is never far from reach, Pray for Haiti also plays like his witty facsimile of a rap star. —Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024

The Orange County Sheriff Department’s Bomb Squad investigated the box and later determined the item inside was a facsimile of an explosive device. —David Matthews, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2024

Although not a perfect facsimile for Minority Report’s smart retina system, today’s devices are within striking distance of it. —Bhaskar Chakravorti, Foreign Affairs, 7 July 2015

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

Phrases Containing facsimile

• reasonable facsimile

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Kids Definition

facsimile

noun

fac·​sim·​i·​le fak-ˈsim-ə-lē 

1

: an exact copy

2

: a system of transmitting and reproducing printed matter or pictures by means of signals sent over telephone lines