1 definition found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Like \Like\ (l[imac]k), a. [Compar. {Liker} (l[imac]k"[~e]r);
superl. {Likest}.] [OE. lik, ilik, gelic, AS gel[=i]c, fr
pref. ge- + l[=i]c body, and orig. meaning, having the same
body, shape, or appearance, and hence like akin to OS
gil[=i]k, D. gelijk G. gleich, OHG. gil[=i]h, Icel. l[=i]kr,
gl[=i]kr, Dan. lig, Sw lik, Goth. galeiks OS lik body, D.
lijk, G. leiche, Icel. l[=i]k, Sw lik, Goth. leik. The
English adverbial ending-ly is from the same adjective. Cf
{Each}, {Such}, {Which}.]
1. Having the same or nearly the same appearance,
qualities, or characteristics; resembling; similar to
similar; alike; -- often with in and the particulars of
the resemblance; as they are like each other in features,
complexion, and many traits of character.
'T is as like you As cherry is to cherry. --Shak.
Like master, like man. --Old Prov.
He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the
hoar-frost like ashes. --Ps. cxlvii
16.
Note: To which formerly often followed like is now usually
omitted.
2. Equal, or nearly equal; as fields of like extent.
More clergymen were impoverished by the late war
than ever in the like space before --Sprat.
3. Having probability; affording probability; probable;
likely.
Usage: [Likely is more used now.] --Shak.
But it is like the jolly world about us will
scoff at the paradox of these practices.
--South.
Many were not easy to be governed, nor like to
conform themselves to strict rules --Clarendon.
4. Inclined toward; disposed to as to feel like taking a
walk.
{Had like} (followed by the infinitive), had nearly; came
little short of
Had like to have been my utter overthrow. --Sir W.
Raleigh
Ramona had like to have said the literal truth, . .
. but recollected herself in time. --Mrs. H. H.
Jackson.
{Like figures} (Geom.), similar figures.
Note: Like is used as a suffix, converting nouns into
adjectives expressing resemblance to the noun as
manlike, like a man; childlike, like a child; godlike,
like a god, etc Such compounds are readily formed
whenever convenient, and several, as crescentlike
serpentlike hairlike, etc., are used in this book,
although, in some cases, not entered in the vocabulary.
Such combinations as bell-like, ball-like, etc., are
hyphened.
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