æmulating

Verb

 * 1) * 1876, John Gérard, quoted by Benjamin Daydon Jackson, in A Catalogue of Plants Cultivated in the Garden of John Gerard, in the Years 1596–1599, Pewtress and Co.; Preface, page XII:
 * ' Whereby that noble science of physicke is made absolute as having recovered y e facultie of Simpling a principall and materiall part thereof, wherefore not doubting of your readines in imitating or æmulating' the best in so laudable actions I thought yt good to moove you herin & to commend this bearer Ihon Gerard'' a servant of mine vnto you : who by reason of his travaile into farre countries, his great practise & long experience is throughly acquainted with the generall & speciall differences, names, properties & privie markes of thousands of plants & trees.
 * ' Whereby that noble science of physicke is made absolute as having recovered y e facultie of Simpling a principall and materiall part thereof, wherefore not doubting of your readines in imitating or æmulating' the best in so laudable actions I thought yt good to moove you herin & to commend this bearer Ihon Gerard'' a servant of mine vnto you : who by reason of his travaile into farre countries, his great practise & long experience is throughly acquainted with the generall & speciall differences, names, properties & privie markes of thousands of plants & trees.