simulacrum

[ sim-yuh-ley-kruh m ]

/ ˌsɪm yəˈleɪ krəm /

a slight, unreal, or superficial likeness or semblance.

an effigy, image, or representation: a simulacrum of Aphrodite.

Origin of simulacrum

1590–1600; < Latin simulācrum likeness, image, equivalent to simulā(re) to simulate + -crum instrumental suffix

In a telling manner, the drugs of the past have disappeared and been replaced by their own simulacra.

Fred Tomaselli's Magical Surrealism |Paul Laster |August 27, 2009 |DAILY BEAST
Some maintained that they were only simulacra, or resemblances to animals, but never had a real existence.

The Religion of Geology and Its Connected Sciences |Edward Hitchcock
It is usually supposed that these simulacra were hollow idols of basket-work.

Early Britain--Roman Britain |Edward Conybeare
There were 136 of these simulacra, "99 of whom," says the report "would have been killed."

Punchinello, Vol. II., No. 33, November 12, 1870 |Various

"Simulacra gentium argentum et aurum, opera manuum hominum," like hailstones rattled the Latin words down on my prison.

Lords of the North |A. C. Laut
The scenes that succeeded were many: episodes from profane and sacred histories; simulacra of the great saints.

Visionaries |James Huneker

simulacrum

/ (ˌsɪmjʊˈleɪkrəm) /

any image or representation of something

a slight, unreal, or vague semblance of something; superficial likeness

C16: from Latin: likeness, from simulāre to imitate, from similis like