Webster
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Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Emulation

Em′u·la′tion (·lā′shŭn), n. [L. aemulatio: cf. F. émulation.] 1. The endeavor to equal or to excel another in qualities or actions; an assiduous striving to equal or excel another; rivalry.

A noble emulation heats your breast. Dryden.

2. Jealous rivalry; envy; envious contention.

Such factious emulations shall arise. Shak.

Syn. — 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 now implying, of necessity, any improper feeling. Rivalry is a personal contest, and, almost of course, has a selfish object and gives rise to envy. "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.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Noah Porter, editor (Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913). Public domain. Text as transcribed by MICRA, Inc., from Project Gutenberg. Changed for Deep Dive Bible: Greek, which our source spelled in Latin letters, set in Greek letters; entries of one spelling merged into one article; Greek words our source left out (shown as “?”), read from the 1898 printing, from the same plates (the Library of Congress’s copy), where the place could be found with certainty.