To imitate someone or something is to follow that person or thing as a model or example. In some cases, imitate means simply “to mimic,” as mischievous schoolchildren might a teacher behind their back. The verb emulate suggests more purposeful action and striving: this verb means “to try to equal or excel” or sometimes “to rival with some degree of success.” If a child emulates their father as a concert violinist, it means they are imitating him with effort to equal or surpass his accomplishments or skill. The competitive spirit of emulate gives this verb a clear edge over imitate when ambition is at play.

A hiatus is a break or interruption in the continuity of a work, series, or action. It’s not uncommon for a TV show to go on hiatus, as executives sort out programming priorities and tinker with casting; you might hear of a band taking a hiatus or pressing pause on their recording or touring in order to deal with other matters. This noun entered English referring to a material break or chasm in something (beware the gaping hiatus!). It is sometimes used to refer to a gap in written material or in a line of reasoning, like a missing link. Nowadays, though, you’re most likely to hear hiatus used to refer to a temporary cessation of activity for a specific purpose.

Something that is biased has or shows bias, defined as a particular tendency, trend, inclination, feeling, or opinion. A bias may be favorable or unfavorable: bias in favor of or against an idea. The synonym tendentious is more blatant, describing things (often writing) that have or show a definite tendency, bias, or purpose: arguments, articles, and interpretations deemed tendentious tend to promote controversial points of view.