emulation

Noun

emulation (countable and uncountable, plural emulations)

1. The endeavor or desire to equal or excel someone else in qualities or actions.
   • a great figure who is worthy of respect and emulation
   • Allur'd, not forc'd, encourag'd, not compell'd;
     The shrinking eye look'd up, the soul was cheer'd,
     Felt as it learnt, confided e'er it fear'd;
     And first by emulation's ardour mov'd,
     Prest onward in the path which soon it lov'd.1827, Lydia Sigourney, Poems, Tribute to an Instructor, page 210
2. (obsolete) Jealous rivalry; envy; envious contention.
   • Scarce two gentlemen dwell together in the country […] , but there is emulation betwixt them and their servants, some quarrel or some grudge betwixt their wives or children […], New York Review Books 2001, p.263
3. Execution of a program or other software designed for a different system, by simulating parts of the other system.