Noah Webster
Emulation
EMULA'TION, noun The act of attempting to equal or excel in qualities or actions; rivalry; desire of superiority, attended with effort to attain to it; generally in a good sense, or an attempt to equal or excel others in that which is praise-worthy, without the desire of depressing others. Romans 11:14. In a bad sense, a striving to equal or do more than others to obtain carnal favors or honors. Val.5.
1. An ardor kindled by the praise-worthy examples of others, inciting to imitate them, or to equal or excel them.
A noble emulation heats your breast.
2. Contest; contention; strife; competition; rivalry accompanied with a desire of depressing another.
Such factious emulations shall arise.