[Cf. OE. wel-lícendlic adj., pleasing. For † well-like v. see WELL adv. 31.]
1. In good condition and of lusty appearance; thriving, healthy, plump. arch.
13[?]. Prose Psalter xci. 14. Hij shul ben wele likand.
a. 1366[?]. Chaucer, Rom. Rose, 1564. Aboute it is gras spryngyng, For moiste so thikke and wel likyng That it ne may in wynter dye.
c. 1440. Partonope, 1087. Strong he was and wele lykyng.
1539. Bible (Great), Ps. xcii. 13. They … shalbe fat and wel lyking [1611 flourishing].
1561. Daus, trans. Bullinger on Apoc. (1573), 119. The Popes clergie shal be well fed, faire and welliking.
1567. Maplet, Gr. Forest, 46. Houselike … is alwaies greene and well liking.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., I. ii. II. i. 90. A Carthusian of a ruddy colour, and well likeing.
1685. H. More, Illustration, etc., 1. They refusing the King’s portion, grow fair and well liking with pulse and water.
1753. Miss Collier, Art Torment., Introd. 16. But be very careful daily to observe whether your patient continues in good health, and is fat and well-liken.
1795. Jemima, I. 176. His Lordship … looks altogether smug and well-liking.
1865. Kingsley, Herew., xxix. There came into the camp at Brandon, riding on an ambling pad, himself fat and well-liking, none other than Sir Deda.
1891. Ménie Muriel Dowie, Girl Karp., 121. There was a tendency in the conditions at the farm to make one fat, lazy, and well-liking.
fig. 1588. Shaks., L. L. L., V. ii. 268. Wel-liking wits they haue, grosse, grosse, fat, fat.
1642. D. Rogers, Naaman, Ep. Ded. 3. To grow wel-liking and flourishing in goodnesse.
† 2. Pleasant, agreeable. Obs.
1586. T. B., La Primaud. Fr. Acad., I. xlvii. 478. It beseemeth a man … to be well liking, gentle and acceptable [se rendre plaisant, doux et aggreable] to an honest and vertuous wife.
