to try to equal or excel; imitate with effort to equal or surpass

to emulate one's father as a concert violinist.

to rival with some degree of success

Some smaller cities now emulate the major capitals in their cultural offerings.

Computers .

to imitate (a particular computer system) by using a software system, often including a microprogram or another computer that enables it to do the same work, run the same programs, etc., as the first.

to replace (software) with hardware to perform the same task.

Obsolete . emulous.

adjective

apish , slavish