Simul

Simul is a Latin root meaning “at the same time” or “together,” used in English primarily as a combining form rather than as an independent word. It functions to convey simultaneity or imitation in a range of terms.

In English vocabulary, simul- appears in words such as simultaneous, simulate, simulation, simulator, simulacrum, and simulcast. Simultaneous describes events occurring at the same time. Simulation refers to the imitation of a real process or system, often for study or training. To simulate is to imitate or enact, and a simulator is a device or program that performs that imitation. Simulacrum denotes an image or representation that stands in for something else. Simulcast refers to broadcasting the same content on multiple channels or platforms at the same time. These terms illustrate how simul- signals both concurrency and representation.

Simul is not typically used as a standalone term in modern standard English. It is most often encountered in compound words, technical jargon, or etymological discussion. Some fields rely on simul- to describe modeled or replicated phenomena, such as computer simulations, engineering simulations, or multimedia broadcasting. In philosophy and art history, related formations like simulacrum reflect the idea of likeness or representation derived from the same root.

See also: simultaneity, simultaneous, simulation, simulate, simulator, simulcast, simulacrum.