An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

To create a likeness or model of something (a situation, system, or the like).

Etymology (EN): M.E., from L. simulatus, p.p. of simulare “to imitate,” from stem of similis “like;” cognate with Pers. ham “together, with; same, equally, even” (Mid.Pers. ham-, like L. com- and Gk. syn- with neither of which it is cognate. O.Pers./Av. ham-, Skt. sam-; also O.Pers./Av. hama- “one and the same,” Skt. sama-, Gk. homos-;
originally identical with PIE numeral *sam- “one,” from *som-. The Av. ham- appears in various forms: han- (before gutturals, palatals, dentals) and also hem-, hen-).

Etymology (PE): Mânadidan verb from mânand “resembling, like,” variant mânestan “to resemble;” Mid.Pers. mânag “like, resembling;” Av. man- “to resemble;” hamânad sâxtan, from hamânand, from ham-, as above, + mânad + sâxtan “to make, build.”