verb (used with object), per·son·at·ed, per·son·at·ing. to act or portray (a character in a play, a part, etc.). to assume the character or appearance of; pass oneself off as, especially with fraudulent intent; impersonate. to represent in terms of personal properties or characteristics; personify.

tr.v. per·son·at·ed, per·son·at·ing, per·son·ates 1. To play the role or portray the part of (a character). 2. To assume the character or appearance of, especially fraudulently; impersonate. [Late Latin persōnāre, persōnāt-, to bear the character of, represent, from Latin persōna, person; see person.]

Definitions from Wiktionary (personate) ▸ verb: (transitive) To fraudulently portray another person; to impersonate. ▸ verb: (transitive) To portray a character (as in a play); to act. ▸ verb: (transitive) To attribute personal characteristics to something; to personify.

a : impersonate, represent b : to assume without authority and with fraudulent intent (some character or capacity) 2 : to invest with personality or personal characteristics personating their gods ridiculous, and themselves past shame John Milton