I.to rival, to endeavor to equal or to excel one, to emulate, vie with, in a good and bad sense; hence (as a consequence of this action). to equal one by emulating.
I. In a good sense, constr. with acc., v. II.: “quoniam aemulari non licet, nunc invides,” Plaut. Mil. 3, 2, 26: “omnes ejus instituta laudare facilius possunt quam aemulari,” Cic. Fl. 26; Nep. Epam. 5; Liv. 1, 18; cf. Tac. H. 3, 81: Pindarum quisquis studet aemulari, * Hor. C. 4, 2, 1; Quint. 10, 1, 62: “severitatem alicujus,” Tac. H. 2, 68: “virtutes majorum,” id. Agr. 15 et saep.—Transf. of things: “Basilicae uvae Albanum vinum aemulantur,” Plin. 14, 2, 4, § 30.—Prov.: “aemulari umbras,” to fight shadows, Prop. 3, 32, 19 (cf. Cic. Att. 15, 20: qui umbras timet).—
II. In a bad sense, to strive after or vie with enviously, to be envious of, be jealous of, ζηλοτυπεῖν; constr. with dat., while in the first signif. down to Quint. with acc.; v. Spald. ad Quint. 10, 1, 122; “Rudd. II. p. 151: iis aemulemur, qui ea habent, quae nos habere cupimus,” Cic. Tusc. 1, 19; cf. 4, 26; Just. 6, 9.—Also with cum: “ne mecum aemuletur,” Liv. 28, 43: “inter se,” Tac. H. 2, 81.—With inf.: “aemulabantur corruptissimum quemque pretio inlicere,” Tac. H. 2, 62.—Hence, * aemŭlanter , adv., emulously, Tert. c. Haer. 40.