Em'u-lā'tion, n.
n. [Fr. émulation, Pr. emulacio, Sp. emulacion, It. emulazione, Lat. emulatio.]
Sense 1. The act of attempting to equal or excel in qualities or actions; rivalry; desire of superiority, attended with effort to attain it; ambition to equal or excel.
A noble emulation heats your breast. Dryden.
Sense 2. Competition; contest; contention; strife.
Such factious emulations shall arise. Shak.
Synonyms—Competition; rivalry; contest; contention; strife.—EMULATION, COMPETITION, RIVALRY. Competition is the struggle of two or more persons for the same object. Emulation is an ardent desire for superiority, arising from competition, but not implying, of necessity, any improper feeling. Rivalry is a personal contest, and almost, of course, gives rise to envy, resentment, or detraction. “Competition and emulation have honor for their basis; rivalry is but a desire for selfish gratification. Competition and emulation animate to effort; rivalry usually produces hatred. Competition and emulation seek to merit success; rivalry is contented with obtaining it.” Crabb.