Forms: α. 4–5 liche, lyche, (also 6 arch.) lich, (4 liche, 5 lych, leyge). β. 3–4 lic, 3–5 lik, 4 liik, lijc, 4–5 lijk(e, lick(e, 4–7 lyke, Sc. lyk, 5 lek(e, lyek, 6 leeke, lyeke, Sc. lyik, 4– like. Comparative. α. 3–4 licchere, lichyr, ? lecho(u)re. β. 3–4 lickor, lyckore, 4 lykker, 4–6 lyker, (Sc. -ar), 5 licker, likkir, 6– liker. Superlative. 4 lickest, 4–6 likkest, lykest, 4– likest. [Early ME. līch, līk (? late OE. *líc), shortened form (= ON. lík-r, Sw. lik, Da. lig) of OE. ʓelíc = OFris. gelîk, OS. gilîk (Du. gelijk), OHG. gilîh (MHG. gelîch, mod.G. gleich), ON. glík-r, Goth. galeiks:—OTeut. *galîko- f. pref. ga- (corresponding in meaning to L. com-) + *lîko- body, form; the word is thus etymologically analogous to L. conformis CONFORM a. The OE. ʓelíc survived into early mod.Eng. as Y-LIKE: see also ALIKE a.
The OE. *líc yields normally līch in Southern and līk in Northern ME. The former type did not survive after the 14th c.; the prevalence of the β form may be partly due to the analogy of the comparative, where the k is normal in all dialects, though the forms with ch were not uncommon.
The inflected comparative and superlative are now rare in educated use exc. poet. or rhetorical.]
A. adj.
1. Having the same characteristics or qualities as some other person or thing; of approximately identical shape, size, color, character, etc., with something else; similar; resembling; analogous. (In the negative phrases, there is none or nothing like —, the adj. assumes a pregnant sense = ‘so good or wonderful as.’)
a. Const. to, unto (now arch.), north. † till, † of, with (arch.), † as.
c. 1200. Ormin, 7931. Peȝȝre sang iss lic wiþþ wop.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 9524. And algat til his fader like [Gött. of his fader liche; Trin. his fadir liche]. Ibid., 18861. Þe tane es to þe toþer like.
1377. Langl., P. Pl., B. IX. 33. He … made man likkest [v.r. I-likest] to hym-self one.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 245. Þe wille of God mut nedis be good, licke to þe Fadir of hevene.
c. 1420. Chron. Vilod., st. 108. He hadde a gret hedde leyge to a gret blok.
c. 1430. Hymns Virg., 47. Lijk to him y neuere noon knewe.
c. 1449. Pecock, Repr., IV. vii. 458. The … seid principal governauncis ben of lijk state, condicioun, nature, and merit with this present … principal gouernaunce.
1514. Barclay, Cyt. & Uplondyshm. (Percy Soc.), 28. What is more folysshe, or lyker to madnesse, Than to spend the lyfe for glory, & rychesse?
1559. W. Cunningham, Cosmogr. Glasse, 17. A sphere of rounde fourme, like unto a Ball.
1571. MS. Depos. Canterb. Cathedral Libr., XVIII. lf. 60 b. You did say that one of Agnes Fullagor’s children ys leeke vnto me.
16[?]. Ballad, Mary Ambree, 32 (Percy MS.). There was neuer none like to Mary Aumbree.
1604. E. G[rimstone], D’Acosta’s Hist. Indies, IV. xxxviii. 314. It is in face like to a monkie.
1611. Bible, Acts xiv. 15. Wee also are men of like passions with you.
1670. Baxter, Cure Ch. Div., 238. You would shew yourselves much liker to God who is love, and unliker to Satan the accuser.
1709. Mrs. Manley, Secret Mem. (1736), II. 68. Are not these Shrieks like as those from a Woman in Distress?
1736. Butler, Anal., I. iii. 101. A state of trial … analogous or like to our moral or religious trial.
1796. Mrs. Glasse, Cookery, x. 161. Dried herring … should be steeped the like time as the Whiting in small beer.
1819. Shelley, Cenci, V. iii. (Song), Sweet sleep, were death like to thee.
1859. Masson, Brit. Novelists, ii. 94. Swift … the likest author we have to Rabelais.
1870. M. Arnold, St. Paul & Protestantism, 17. Laud … held, on this point, a like opinion with him.
1871. Freeman, Hist. Ess., Ser. II. 97. An old Greek was a being of like passions with a modern Englishman.
b. Const. simple dative. (In early use often placed after its regimen: cf. -LIKE suffix 1 a.) In this construction the adj. when attributive follows the sb.
c. 1200. Ormin, 3572. Hire sune wass himm lic O fele kinne wise.
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 5680. No licchere is broþer him was þane wolf is a lomb [v.rr. he nas no lechore his broþer: lyker, lichyr, lechoure, lyckore, lickor].
a. 1340. Hampole, Pr. Consc., 830–1. Whiles a man lyves he is lyke a man; When he es dede what es he lyke þan?
c. 1380. Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 92. Ȝif Y seie, Y knowe him not, I shal be liik ȝou, a lyere.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Sqr.’s T., 54. In this world was ther noon it lyche.
c. 1400. Maundev. (1839), xviii. 199. Lymons, that is a manere of Fruyt, lyche smale Pesen.
c. 1470. Golagros & Gaw., 404. Thare is na leid on life of lordschip hym like.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VI., 84. The Parisians … like the Wethercocke be variable and inconstaunt.
1601. Shaks., Twel. N., III. i. 39. Fooles are as like husbands, as Pilchers are to Herrings.
1710. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 25 Oct. Addison’s sister is a sort of a wit, very like him.
1782. Priestley, Corrupt. Chr., I. I. 93. There was nothing like it in the philosophy of Plato.
1827. Keble, Chr. Y., Restor. R. Family, Be some kind spirit, likest thine, Ever at hand.
1835. Dickens, Sk. Boz, Tales, xi. (1892), 446. ‘Now, uncle,’ said Mr. Kitterbell, lifting up that part of the mantle which covered the infant’s face,… ‘Who do you think he’s like?’
1850. Tennyson, In Mem., lv. 4. What we have The likest God within the soul.
1854. Brewster, More Worlds, xv. 226. The fixed stars are like our sun in every point in which it is possible to compare them.
¶ Some phrasal uses of the adj. in this construction have a special idiomatic force. The question What is he (or it) like? means ‘What sort of a man is he?,’ ‘What sort of a thing is it?,’ the expected answer being a description, and not at all the mention of a resembling person or thing. (Cf. WHAT-LIKE.) To look like (occas. to be like) sometimes means ‘to have the appearance of being’ so and so; e.g., in ‘He looks like a clever man.’ (Cf. sense 7.) Like that, used predicatively (perh. a Gallicism = F. comme cela): of the nature, character or habit indicated.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., XVIII. 647. The unskilfulness of the Dissector, who was liker a Butcher than an Anatomist.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, clxxxi. (1708), 194. The Hypocrite is never so far from being a Good Christian, as when he looks Likest One.
1816. J. Wilson, City of Plague, I. i. 124. Do not I Look, as I feel, most like thy murderer?
1835. Marryat, Three Cutters, i. It is Lord B——; he looks like a sailor, and he does not much belie his looks.
1878. Patmore, Amelia, She ask’d what Millicent was like.
1889. A. Lang, Prince Prigio, xviii. 139. He refused to keep his royal promise…! Kings are like that.
1899. Newnham-Davis, Dinners & Diners, 194. I found myself wondering what an infant incubator could be like.
c. In mod. use (with following dat.) often = ‘such as,’ introducing a particular example of a class respecting which something is predicated.
1886. Stevenson, Lett. (1899), II. 41. A critic like you is one who fights the good fight, contending with stupidity.
1887. S. Colvin, Keats, i. 1. A birth like that of Keats presents to the ordinary mind a striking instance of nature’s inscrutability.
d. Without construction, chiefly in attributive relation: Resembling something already indicated or implied. The like: such as have been mentioned (cf. C. 3); formerly often preceded by an adj. of quantity, as † many the like. See also SUCH-LIKE, formerly also † such a like. For in like manner, see MANNER; for in like wise, see LIKEWISE.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 6382. Of honi it had likest sauur [Gött. lickest, Fairf. likkest].
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, vi. (Thomas), 130. A lyk dreme dremyt þai bath.
c. 1400. Apol. Loll., 19. For þe honor of God, & profit of himsilf & of þe peple, wiþ mani final leful leke causis.
14[?]. Sir Beues (MS. C.) 801. In lyke case was þe wylde bore.
1564. in Vicary’s Anat. (1888), App. III. iii. 166. A proclamacion of lyke substaunce & effect shall furthwith be drawen.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., III. vii. 29. For both to be and seeme to him was labour lich. Ibid. (1591), M. Hubberd, 199. Be you the Souldier, for you likest are For manly semblance, and small skill in warre.
1608. Topsell, Serpents (1658), 601. Solinus reporteth of such a like Wood in a part of Africa.
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., 2. Wee shall finde many the like examples of such kind, or rather vnkind acceptance. Ibid., 3. An Heretike of the like stampe.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. iii. 10. Like events will follow like actions.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 69, ¶ 5. Hips and Haws, Acorns and Pig-nuts, with other Delicacies of the like Nature.
1840. L. Hunt, in Dram. Wks. Wycherley, etc. Farquhar, p. lxxxvii. Equally profound is … Mr. Lamb in whatever he says at all times on the like subjects.
1865. Tylor, Early Hist. Man., i. 5. The like working of men’s minds under like conditions.
1875. Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 169. They cause disease and poverty and other like evils.
e. Of two or more persons or things: Having the same or closely resembling characteristics; mutually similar; in predicative use = alike (now rare). Prov. As like as two peas: see PEA sb.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, iii. (Andreas), 1037. All are lyk, and ȝet … In ilke face … men fyndis diuersyte.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 14. ij lymes … þat ben lich in complexioun.
c. 1530. Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt., 471. They war al goodly persones and moche lyke of stature.
1604. H. Jacob, Reasons Reform., 9. Al these … are exceeding divers and no way like.
a. 1641. Bp. Mountagu, Acts & Mon. (1642), 355. The two letters of b and m being in manuscripts very like.
1757. Mrs. Griffith, Lett. Henry & Frances (1767), I. 181. I always looked upon them as twin-sisters, and so very like, that it was difficult to know one from t’other.
1832. Tennyson, Dream Fair Wom., 280. No two dreams are like.
1872. Bagehot, Physics & Pol., i. 21. A nation means a like body of men, because of that likeness capable of acting together.
1876. Jevons, Logic Prim., 9. Things which seem to be like may be different.
¶ f. Inaccurately const. dative (etc.) instead of ellipt. possessive.
(Cf. κόμαι χαρίτεσσιν ὁμοῖαι Iliad, xvii. 51.)
a. 1300. Cursor M., 18408. Quat ert þou þat es here, þat has to theif so like a chere?
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., xxv. 72. The fader voyce, oure myrthes to amende, Was made to me lyke as a man.
1567. Satir. Poems Reform., iii. 169. Hir lauchter lycht be lyke to trim Thysbie.
1890. Freeman, in W. R. W. Stephens, Life (1895), II. 414. His domestic arrangements … are rather like a steamer.
2. In phraseological and proverbial expressions.
† a. All like: in all cases the same. Obs.
1477. Earl Rivers (Caxton), Dictes, 21. Whersomeuer one deye, the weye to the other worlde is all like.
† b. Like case (advb. phr.): in the same way, likewise. Obs. exc. dial.
1534. Kirton-in-Lindsey Churchw. Acc., in N. W. Linc. Gloss., s.v., Paid wytsonday for ij ponde sope for weching cherche clothes iij d. Paid at lammes lyke case iii d.
1552. Huloet, Like case and likewyse, idem.
1579. W. A., Speciall Remedie, f iij b (Roxburghe Club). Yet haue I yeelded like a coward thoe, And followed his pleasures vaine like case.
1889. N. W. Linc. Gloss., s.v., Thaay chuckt th’ watter tub oher, like caase thaay brok th’ tap on it.
† c. Alike; in phr. share and share like, portion and portion like. Obs.
1540. in R. G. Marsden, Sel. Pl. Crt. Adm. (1894), 96. To be compelled to bere and pay their partes and porcions of the same averyge after the rate of their said goods porcion and porcion lyke.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, vii. 6. Every one to go share and share-like in what they took.
d. In proverbial formulæ of the type like master like man (as the master, so the man).
1548. Udall, Erasm. Par. Luke xxiii. 177. Beeyng lyke men lyke maister accordyng to the prouerbe.
c. 1550. Bale, K. Johan (Camden), 73. Lyke Lorde, lyke chaplayne.
1611. Bible, Hosea iv. 9. And there shall be like people, like priest [Wyclif as the peple so the prest].
1632. Massinger, City Madam, I. i. Like hen, like chicken. Ibid., II. ii. Like bitch, like whelps.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., IX. ii. § 20. Like cup, like cover.
1835. Marryat, Jac. Faithf., xxiii. But like mother like child, they say.
1842. Tennyson, Walking to Mail, 55. Like men, like manners.
e. Anything like, nothing like, something like: anything, nothing, something nearly as great, good, effective (etc.) as (another thing), or approaching it in size or quality. Also ellipt. something like = something like what he, it (etc.) should be, or what is desired or aimed at (chiefly colloq., and serving as an emphatic expression of satisfaction).
1666. Bunyan, Grace Ab., § 32. My great Conversion from prodigious Profaneness to something like a Moral Life.
1702. S. Parker, trans. Cicero’s De Finibus, IV. 247. This is something-like!
1791. ‘G. Gambado,’ Ann. Horsem., i. (1809), 67. I have had nothing like a bad fall lately.
1798. Geraldina, I. 176. ‘This looks something like, Sir,’ said she.
1883. Manch. Exam., 22 Nov., 5/4. The Parcel Post is being conducted at a loss of something like £10,000 a week. Ibid. (1884), 17 June, 4/7. There is nothing like giving a nickname to anything you wish to denounce.
1885. J. Payn, Talk of Town, II. 117. Not that Pye is an archangel, nor anything like it.
1901. Expositor, Nov., 396. In the ‘Times’ the other day, a description of the largest steam-hammer yet made was headed ‘Something like a hammer.’
f. The phrases in e are also used adverbially, conveying the notion of an approximation to what would be expressed by the predicate (vb. or adj.) or its accompanying adv. Also ellipt. something like: in a tolerably adequate manner; † at a fairly reasonable price.
1590. Shaks., Com. Err., III. ii. 105. Anti. What complexion is she of? Dro. Swart like my shoo, but her face nothing like so cleane kept.
a. 1620. J. Dyke, Serm. (1640), 379. If a man will sell a commodity, hee will sell it somewhat like, or hee will keepe it.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), VI. 241. Why this is talking somewhat like.
1782. Eliz. Blower, Geo. Bateman, III. 111. [She sits her horse] nothing like so well as you used to do.
1793. Bentham, Wks. (1843), X. 239. The £600 a-year … I do not look upon as anything like adequate.
1798. T. Twining, Recreat. & Stud. (1882), 237. Often have I heard you something like blamed for these voluntary labours.
1851. Whewell, in Todhunter, Acc. Writings (1876). II. 371. I have not any thing like got through the work.
1874. Ruskin, Fors Clav., xlvii. 253. No; not so well done; or anything like so well done.
3. Of a portrait, etc.: Bearing a faithful resemblance to the original. Now only predicative.
1561. T. Hoby, trans. Castiglione’s Courtyer, IV. (1577), T iij a. A muche more liker Image of God are those good Princes that loue and worshippe him.
1591. Spenser, Tears Muses, 201. All these, and all that els the Comick Stage With seasoned wit and goodly pleasaunce graced, By which mans life in his likest image Was limned forth.
1638. R. Baker, trans. Balzac’s Lett. (vol. II.), 167. Those painters, that care not for making a face like, so they make it faire.
1705. Hickeringill, Priest-cr., II. Wks. 1716, III. 68. Its own Picture drawn so very like, that it has not patience to behold its own Physiognomy.
1756. Mrs. F. Brooke, Old Maid, No. 36. 295. I have myself seen the camps at Clapham and in Hyde-park, and must own my Correspondent’s picture of the last to be like.
1775. Dk. Richmond, in Burke Corr. (1844), II. 87. I believe you will think it a good and a like portrait when you see it.
1850. E. FitzGerald, Lett. (1889), I. 203. I got your photograph at last: it is a beastly thing: not a bit like.
1854. Hawthorne, Eng. Note-Bks. (1879), I. 103. It was very like and very laughable, but hardly caricatured.
4. Math. (See quot. 1706.) Now superseded by similar, exc. in like quantities and like signs.
1557. Recorde, Whetst., D i. When the sides of one plat forme, beareth like proportion together as the sides of any other flatte forme of the same kinde doeth, then are those formes called like flattes … and their numbers, that declare their quantities, in like sorte are named like flattes.
1660. Barrow, Euclid, VI. iv. Schol., If in a triangle FBE there be drawn AC a parallel to one side FE, the triangle ABC shall be like to the whole FBE.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Like Arches or Arks (in the Projection of the Sphere) are Parts of lesser Circles that contain an equal Number of Degrees with the corresponding Arches of great Ones. Like Figures (in Geom.) are such as have their Angles equal, and the Sides about those Angles proportional. Like solid Figures, such as are comprehended under Planes that are like, and equal in Number. Ibid., Like Quantities (in Algebra), such as are expressed by the same Letters, equally repeated in each Quantity. Thus 2a and 3a, 6dd and 4dd, are like Quantities; but 2a and 3aa, and 6f and 4fff are unlike. Like Signs, are when both are Affirmative, or both Negative … Thus + 16 c and + 4 c, have like Signs.
1709. J. Ward, Introd. Math., II. ii. § 4 (1734), 154. Like Signs give + and Unlike Signs give – in the Quotient.
1797. Encycl. Brit. (ed. 3), I. 401/1. To add terms that are like and have like signs.
1859. Barn. Smith, Arith. & Algebra (ed. 6), 201.
5. Golf. (See quot.)
1887. Donaldson, Suppl. to Jamieson, s.v., When both parties have played the same number of strokes they are said to be like.
6. † a. Apt, suitable, befitting. Chiefly predicative. Obs.
a. 1450. Cov. Myst., xl. (Shaks. Soc.), 394. This observaunce is most like you to do dewly, Wherfore tak it upon you, brother, we pray.
1477. Paston Lett., III. 196. An C li. … is no money lyek for syche a joyntore as is desyred of my son.
1592. C’tess Shrewsbury, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., Ser. II. III. 167. They are the likest instruments to put a bad matter in execution.
b. Characteristic of; such as one might expect from.
1667. Pepys, Diary, 4 April. It was pretty to hear the Duke of Albemarle himself to wish that they would come on our ground, meaning the French, for that he would pay them…; which was like a general, but not like an admiral.
1703. Rules of Civility, 98. That would be liker a Drunkard than a Gentleman.
1711. Swift, Jrnl. to Stella, 8 Sept. It is like your Irish politeness, raffling for tea-kettles.
1840. Dickens, Barn. Rudge, xxvii. It would be like his impudence … to dare to think of such a thing.
7. predicatively, in certain idiomatic uses, chiefly with the vbs. feel, look, sound: † a. With gerund as regimen: Having the appearance of (doing something). b. Giving promise of (doing something); indicating the probable presence of (something). c. colloq. In recent use (orig. U.S.), To feel like: to have an inclination for, be in the humor for.
1654–66. Earl Orrery, Parthen. (1676), 690. They look’d rather like going to triumph after a Victory, than to win one.
1741. Lady Pomfret, Corr. (1805), III. 30. The music … sounds so like being accompanied by an organ, that [etc.].
1850. Carlyle, Latter-d. Pamph., III. 2. The Forty Colonies … are all pretty like rebelling just now.
1863. R. B. Kimball, Was He Successful? II. xii. 278. He did not feel like returning to his solitary room with his mind unsettled.
1868. Yates, Rock Ahead, II. 245. Wooded uplands suggested good cover-shooting; broad expanse of heath looked very like rabbits.
1894. Du Maurier, Trilby (1895), 111. Bother work this morning! I feel much more like a stroll in the Luxembourg Gardens.
8. In accordance with appearances, probable, likely. Now only dial.
c. 1375. Barbour, Bruce, XVI. 324. It wes weill lik … That he mycht haff conquerit … The land of Irland.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 10440. Hit was not lik þat þe lede … Shuld haue killit þis kyng.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), I. 17. Thynges incredible and not lyke [L. incredibilia … et non verisimilia].
1541. Wyatt, Defence, Wks. (1861), p. xxxiii. It was not like that I should get the Knowledge being in Spain.
1545. Brinklow, Compl., ii. (1874), 14. Who hath the vantage, God knowyth; wether the King, or … the officers … which is most lykest.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., IV. iii. 45. Is it not like that I … run mad? Ibid. (1603), Meas. for M., V. i. 104. Oh that it were as like as it is true.
c. 1635. W. Scot, Apol. Narr. (Wodrow Soc.), 27. I know not if it came to Mr. Knox befor his death … as it is like it did.
1664. Butler, Hud., II. iii. 835. And is it like they have not still in their old Practices some skill?
a. 1717. Blackall, Wks. (1723), I. 560. He only desired time, and would, ’tis like, have been able to pay thee.
1733. E. Erskine, Serm., Wks. 1871, II. 152. The temple where it is like Isaiah got the manifestation.
1816. Scott, Antiq., xv. ‘It’s like we maun wait then till the gudeman comes hame.’
9. predicatively, const. to with inf.: That may reasonably be expected to (do, etc.), likely to. Now somewhat rare in literary use; still common colloq.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 3452. Hir lijf was lickest to be ded.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 372. It is ful like for to stonde in þe same wise wiþ-in a few ȝeris in ynglonde.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 2254. Licker at þe last end in langore to bide.
c. 1420. Pallad. on Husb., VI. 199. For that [brik] is maad in somer heete To sone is drie, and forto chyne is like.
1508. Dunbar, Poems, iv. 11. Now dansand mirry, now like to dee.
1573. Tusser, Husb., xxxv. (1878), 82. Those of the fairest and likest to thriue.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. v. 187. My graue is like to be my wedding bed.
1641. J. Jackson, True Evang. T., III. 224. Lay a good foundation, and then the superstructure is like to stand.
1704. Swift, Batt. Bks., Misc. (1711), 239. Discovering how high the Quarrel was like to proceed.
a. 1715. Burnet, Own Time (1724), I. 368. A man much liker to spoil business than to carry it on dextrously.
a. 1806. C. J. Fox, Reign Jas. II. (1808), 194. He thought himself like to get rid of them, but they knocked him down with their swords, and seized him.
1873. Ruskin, Fors Clav., IV. xlviii. 268. But we are in hard times, now, for all men’s wits; for men who know the truth are like to go mad from isolation.
1886. Bynner, A. Surriage, iii. 34. The two or three places I am like to have business relations with.
1896. A. E. Housman, Shropshire Lad, xxii. Such leagues apart the world’s ends are, We’re like to meet no more.
b. (Now colloq. or dial.) Apparently on the point of. † Formerly sometimes (? by anacoluthon) with ellipsis of the vb. substantive, so that like becomes = ‘was (or were) like’ (obs.). Also in confused use, had like to (for was like to), chiefly with perf. inf.: = ‘had come near to, narrowly missed (—ing).’ (A further grammatical confusion appears in the form had liked to: see LIKE v.2 2 b.)
c. 1560. Wriothesley, Chron. (1875), II. 135. Wherefore that plee would not serve, and so [they] had like to haue had judgment without triall.
1565. J. Sparke, in Hawkins’ Voy. (1878), 26. Which had like to haue turned vs to great displeasure.
1586. A. Day, Eng. Secretary, II. (1625), 80. That he had like to have knockt his head against the gallowes.
1600. Shaks., A. Y. L., V. iv. 48. I haue had foure quarrels, and like to haue fought one.
1657. W. Rand, trans. Gassendi’s Life Peiresc, I. 20. And these digressions … had like to cost him dear.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref. (1824), I. xx. 367. After the treaty had been like to have been broken off.
1709. Mrs. Manley, Secret Mem. (1736), IV. 160. She advanced toward the Land of Coquetry, and like to have arrived there.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 78, ¶ 4. The young Lady was amorous, and had like to have run away with her Father’s Coachman.
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Qual. (1809), II. 28. I had like to murder poor Mr. Vindex.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., ii. The eldest man seemed like to choke with laughter. Ibid. (1826), Jrnl., I. 124. I had like to have been too hasty.
1853. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 241. I am like to cry whenever I think of her.
1873. Ruskin, Fors Clav., xxvii. 7. I had like to have said something else.
c. dial. (north. and north midland): Constrained, obliged, having no option but to (do so-and-so). Also with ellipsis of the inf. (Cf. fain.)
1828. Trial W. Dyon at York Assizes, 11. I promised him I would not tell: I was like for fear of losing my life.
Mod. (Sheffield) You’ll be like to let him have his own way.
10. Comb., as like-minded (whence likemindedness), -natured, -seeming, -shaped, -sized adjs.
1526. Tindale, Rom. xv. 5. That ye be *lyke mynded won towardes another.
1841. E. Miall, in Nonconf., I. 248. Sir Robert Peel will find thousands likeminded with us.
1888. Burgon, Lives 12 Gd. Men, I. iv. 381. They were devoted to one another, inseparable, and entirely like-minded.
1638. Sanderson, Serm. (1681), II. 120. Our *like-mindedness must be according to Christ Jesus.
1579. Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 192. That this rude and earthly body by a *like natured taste, touching, and meate, should be brought to immortalitie.
1839. Bailey, Festus (1852), 26. Like-natured with them.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. iii. 26. By his *like-seeming shield her knight by name Shee weend it was.
1897. Daily News, 5 Feb., 11/1. *Like-shaped and *like-sized balls.
b. In proposed mathematical terms: † like-jamb, a parallelogram; † like-side, a rhombus.
1551. Recorde, Pathw. Knowl., I. Defin., Those squares which haue their sides al equal, may be called … likesides,… and those that haue only the contrary sydes equal,… those wyll I call likeiammys, for a difference.
B. adv. (quasi-prep., conj.).
1. In or after the manner of; in the same manner or to the same extent as; as in the case of. Const. as in A. 1 a, b; also rarely, † const. after. Also (const. dat.), in the manner characteristic of. Like that: in that manner (cf. A. 1 b ¶).
a. 1300. Cursor M., 5133. Þai com ham noght as prisuns like [Gött. lick, Trin. liche] Bot als þai war knigthes rik.
1370[?]. Robt. Cicyle, 58. He rode non odur lyke.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 253. Þan schulden prestis lyue lich to angels.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prol., 590. His top was dokked lyk a preest biforn. Ibid., Frankl. T., 517. Phebus wax old, and hewed lyke latoun.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1613. Rome … Tild vpon Tiber after Troy like.
1432–50. trans. Higden (Rolls), II. 187. Floenge like to the water, ȝiffenge place like to the aier.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 3170. Ful lyk o knycht one to the feld he raid.
1508. Dunbar, Flyting w. Kennedie, 174. Ay loungand, lyk ane loikman on ane ledder. Ibid., Tua mariit Wemen, 273. I hatit him like a hund.
c. 1590. Marlowe, Faust., xi. (1604), E 2. Like an asse as I was, I would not be ruled by him.
1594. T. Bedingfield, trans. Machiavelli’s Florent. Hist. (1595), 221. The disorder of his ministers (who liued liker Princes, then priuate men).
c. 1600. Shaks., Sonn., xxix. Featur’d like him, like him with friends possest. Ibid. (1601), Twel. N., V. i. 275. Thou neuer should’st loue woman like to me.
1654. Earl Monm., trans. Bentivoglio’s Warrs Flanders, 133. Fearing their Town would fare like Oudwater.
1713. Addison, Guardian, No. 97, ¶ 1. This … is using a man like a fool.
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., II. § 23. Working like moles under ground.
1779. Mad. D’Arblay, Diary & Lett. (1842–6), I. 256. She sings like her, laughs like her, talks like her.
1821. Keats, Lamia, I. 49. Striped like a zebra, freckled like a pard.
1854. Mrs. Jameson, Bk. of Th. (1877), 270. A lecture should not read like an essay.
1871. Morley, Voltaire (1886), 1. The name of Voltaire will stand out like the names of the great decisive movements in the European advance.
1872. Punch, 2 March, 88/2. What was the use of his talking like that?
1879. McCarthy, Donna Quixote, xxi. But I never was good like that.
b. In colloquial phrases denoting vigor or rapidity of action, as like anything, like a shot, like fun, blazes, etc.
1681. T. Flatman, Heraclitus Ridens, No. 48 (1713), II. 53. He storms and sputters like— Jest. What I prithee? Earn. Why—like any think.
1695. Congreve, Love for L., V. iv. (ed. 2), 76. I have been looking up and down for you like any thing.
1778. Miss Burney, Evelina, xxi. (1784), 157. All the people in the pit are without hats, dressed like anything.
1848. Like fun [see FUN sb. 1 b].
1872. ‘L. Carroll,’ Through Looking-gl., 73. They wept like anything to see Such quantities of sand.
1885. Illustr. Lond. News, 18 April, 392/3. If she doesn’t know anything about it, she’ll say so like a shot.
2. = ALIKE. a. In a like degree; equally. Now arch. or poet. (only qualifying an adj. or adv.).
1340–70. Alex. & Dind., 105. Whan eueri lud liche wel lyuede up-on erþe.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, I. 10. Why this [is] a dreme, why that it swevene And noght to euery man lyche euene.
1393. Langl., P. Pl., C. XVII. 20. Men of grete welþe, And liche witty and wys.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 4160. It was al liche longe & wyde.
c. 1400. Lanfranc’s Cirurg., 158. Whanne þat alle þe brawnys traueilen liche myche.
1496. Dives & Paup. (W. de W.), I. xxvii. 64/2. The sonne in hymselfe is alwaye atte one and shyneth alwaye all lyke.
1584. Cogan, Haven Health, cxxxi. (1636), 131. [Mutton] is … not like good in all places in England.
1611. Shaks., Cymb., III. iii. 41. Subtle as the Fox for prey, Like warlike as the Wolfe, for what we eate.
1650. Trapp, Comm. Num. xxi. 1. In our late troubles, it was a like difficult thing, to finde among our enemies, a wicked man in their prisons, or a godly man out of them.
1695. Hickeringill, Lay-Clergy, Wks. 1716, I. 326. That other like ill-advised expression.
1812. Byron, Ch. Har., I. xvii. Hut and palace show like filthily.
1839. Bailey, Festus (1852), 337. All His gifts Like wondrous, like unlimited, like fair, As when the wind first blew.
† b. In like manner. Obs. rare.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 317 b (marg.), Quoque the coniunction, & coce the vocatiue of cocus, souned both like in Cicero his tyme.
1545. Ascham, Toxoph. (Arb.), 107. To shote compasse, to draw euermore lyke, to lowse euermore lyke.
† 3. Followed by an adj. or adjectival phrase: In the manner of one who (or that which) is —. Obs. exc. in like mad (see MAD a.).
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xix. 19. Ȝon man is lyke out of his mynd.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., IV. x. 56. All looking on, and like astonisht staring.
1682. Creech, trans. Lucretius (1683), 87. The look is vivid still, nor seems like dead, Till every Particle of Soul is fled.
1801. trans. Gabrielli’s Myst. Husb., III. 211. Being his tenant, he was like in his power.
† 4. In accordance with, according to. Obs.
1422. trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., 131. And to ham yeue thow lyke har deserte.
1426. Lydg., De Guil. Pilgr., 14281. The ffox, lyk hys entente, Took the chese, and forth he wente. Ibid. (c. 1430), Chichcv. & Byc., ii. Min. Poems, 130. These bestis … Be fatte, or leene … Like lak, or plente, of theyr vitaile. Ibid., Reas. & Sens., 5784. Arrayed lyche to hir degre.
a. 1586. Sidney, Arcadia, II. (1622), 209. She … vsed him much liker his birth, then his fortune.
5. Like as. a. Introducing a clause: In the same way as, even as; (just) as if. Also, like as if (now somewhat rare, occas. † like as and).
c. 1380. Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 368. Þai cowde not schake away þis bonde by a contrari glose, lijke as oure prestis kan nowe.
c. 1450. Merlin, iii. 41. He … tolde hym alle thynges like as were beffalle.
1457. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 298. The pleyntif shall declare … licke as the defendant were present.
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., xiii. (1539), 31. Lyke as and it were extortion.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 139 b. Lyke as whan the wyndowe is opened, the … beames of the sonne foloweth in … so [etc.].
1535. Coverdale, Ps. cii[i]. 13. Like as a father pitieth his owne children, euen so is the Lord mercifull vnto them that feare him.
1609. Holland, Amm. Marcell., 53. Hee came to Augustudunum aforesaid; like as if he had beene a leader of long continuance.
1611. Bible, Job v. 26. Thou shalt come to thy graue in a full age, like as a shocke of corne commeth in, in his season.
1616. R. C., Times’ Whistle, IV. 1235. And now our lawes for Mammons cursed golde Like as at open mart are bought and solde.
1691. trans. Emilianne’s Frauds Rom. Monks (ed. 3), 194. They are all of dry’d Flesh, like as her Heart is.
1717. Wodrow, Corr. (1843), II. 347. Likeas the Synod did, and hereby do, approve thereof.
1799. Coleridge, Lett. (1895), 272. I held the letter in my hand like as if I was stupid.
1881. Forgan, Golfer’s Handbk., 34. Like-as-we-lie, when both parties have played the same number of strokes.
1888. W. E. Henley, Bk. Verses, In Hospital, vi. Likeas a flamelet blanketed in smoke, So through the anæsthetic shows my life.
b. With ellipsis of the vb. of the clause. Obs. exc. poet.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, ix. 222. Lete vs goo there like as prue and worthy knyghtes.
1500–20. Dunbar, Poems, xi. 5. For as thow come sa sall thow pass, Lyk as ane schaddow in ane glass.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot. (1858), II. 34. Thair semelie schroud likeas siluer schene.
1559. Abp. Hethe, Speech in Parlt., 21 Feb., in Strype, Ann. Ref., I. App. vi. 9. Kinge Davyd did … leappe before the arke of God, lyke as his other subjectes.
1704. J. Pitts, Acc. Mahometans, viii. (1738), 149. They travel four Cammels in a breast … tied one after the other, like as in Teams.
1800. Coleridge, Piccolom., IV. i. She’s now rising: Like as a sun, so shines she in the east.
6. Used as conj.: = ‘like as,’ as. Now generally condemned as vulgar or slovenly, though examples may be found in many recent writers of standing.
This use originated partly in an ellipsis of as or an extension of the quasi-prepositional function of the adv. (sense 1) to govern a clause instead of a sb., and partly in an anacoluthic use (somewhat common in the 16th c.) by which the sb. or pronoun which is primarily a dative governed by like is used as the subj. or obj. of a following clause. A good example of this anacoluthon (but with to instead of simple dative) is the following:
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. iv. 42. Like to an Eagle, in his kingly pride Soring through his wide Empire of the aire … by chaunce hath spide A Goshauke.
a. Introducing an unabridged clause.
c. 1530. Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt., 520. Ye have said lyke a noble lady ought to say.
1531. Elyot, Gov., III. viii. Lyke an excellent Phisitioun cureth moste daungerous diseases, so doth a man that is valyant [etc.].
1608. Shaks., Per., I. i. 163. Like an arrow shot from a well experienst Archer hits the marke his eye doth leuell at.
1658. A. Fox, Würtz’ Surg., III. xix. 280. The patient still moveth the wounded joint, like the jack of a watch doth move.
1715. M. Davies, Athen. Brit., I. 253. To act like Judith did with Holofernes.
1792. Southey, Lett. (1856), I. 12. He talks like Brunswick did.
1866. Darwin, in Life & Lett., III. 58. Unfortunately few have observed like you have done.
1867. H. Maudsley, Phys. & Path. Mind, 18. They are strange and startling, like the products of a dream of times are, to the mind which has actually produced them.
1869. Bonamy Price, Princ. Currency, v. 162. Is the demand of the cotton and of the iron for money so real and specific, that the coin is produced, like wine is produced in bottles for the drinkers who desire to drink wine?
1873. Morris, in Mackail, Life (1899), I. 301. Dreading the model day like I used to dread Sunday.
1882. J. C. Morison, Macaulay, v. 169. Those assemblies were not wise like the English parliament was.
1886. J. K. Jerome, Idle Thoughts (1889), 5. Did he [Robinson Crusoe] wear trousers? I forget. Or did he go about like he does in the pantomime?
b. Introducing a clause with vb. suppressed.
Many apparent instances of this use may belong to 1, what is suppressed being a pple. or adj. and not a vb.
1604. T. Wright, Passions (1620), 194. Did not David thirst after thee, like the thirstie hart the fountaines of cleaere water?
1654–66. Earl Orrery, Parthen. (1676), 219. Do not you think me past recovery, and in that faith, do like Physitians to Patients, which are so, permit them anything?
1803. Spirit Pub. Jrnls. (1804), 140. The servants … stare upon me like the deer On Selkirk, in Fernandez.
1839. Bailey, Festus (1852), 129. Ere yet we have shed our locks like trees their leaves.
c. Followed by a noun or pron. (virtually the subj. or obj. of a suppressed clause) or a phrase.
15[?]. Smyth & his Dame, I. 54, in Hazl., E. P. P., III. 203. I sawe hym never wyth myne eye That could werke lyke I.
1723. Pres. State Russia, I. 343. They are not kept in Fish-pools and Stews, like in other Places.
1749. Smollett, Gil Blas (1797), I. 120. A few who like thou and I drink nothing but water.
1833. J. H. Newman, Lett. (1891), I. 324. Stalls, like in cathedrals.
1840. W. Irving, in Life & Lett. (1866), III. 155. There is more of morning visiting, like in country life in England.
1896. Alice B. Balfour, 1200 Miles in Waggon, ix. 98. The strain is causing opening of the boards like in a ship after a storm.
1896. Daily News, 24 Oct., 7/4. Snow … is descending in thick flakes like in January.
† d. As well as; as also. Obs. rare.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., III. v. 9. Gastly Lookes Are at my seruice, like enforced Smiles.
1663. Gerbier, Counsel, e v a. You that know what good Building is both by a Genius … infused into your spirit, like by your particular applications to all things answerable thereunto.
e. † As if, ‘like as.’ (obs.) Also (now dial.) as like.
1493. Festivall (W. de W., 1515), 89 b. To … bere a candell brennynge in procession [on Candlemas Day] as lyke they wente bodely with our lady.
c. 1530. Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt., 338. He was bygge and hye above all other, and coloured like the rede rose had been set on the whyte lyly.
7. dial. and vulgar. Used parenthetically to qualify a preceding statement: = ‘as it were,’ ‘so to speak.’
1801. trans. Gabrielli’s Myst. Husb., III. 252. Of a sudden like.
1815. Scott, Guy M., vi. The leddy, on ilka Christmas night … gae twelve siller pennies to ilka puir body about, in honour of the twelve apostles like.
1826. J. Wilson, Noct. Ambr., Wks. 1855, I. 179. In an ordinar way like.
1838. Lytton, Alice, II. iii. If your honour were more amongst us, there might be more discipline like.
1840–1. De Quincey, Style, II. Wks. 1862, X. 224. ‘Why like, it’s gaily nigh like to four mile like.’
1870. E. Peacock, Ralf Skirl., I. 112. Might I be so bold as just to ax, by way of talk like, if [etc.].
8. Likely, probably. Rare exc. in phr. like enough, very like, (as) like as not (colloq. or dial.).
1563–83. Foxe, A. & M., II. 1219/1. Some sayd it was his wife, some sayd the keeper. Like inough (my lord) quoth Symons, for he is one of the same sort.
1610. Shaks., Temp., V. i. 265. Will money buy em? Ant. Very like. Ibid. (1611), Cymb., V. v. 259. Most like I did.
1681. Hickeringill, Black Non-Conf., Postscr., Wks. 1716, II. 169. He may fire a Canon, and kill a Friend as like as an Enemy.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, VII. ix. ‘Like enough,’ cries the ’squire, ‘it may be so in London.’
1823. Bentham, Not Paul, 285. When I was yet with you I told you these things. Like enough.
1883. Stevenson, Treas. Isl., III. xiv. Like enough, to judge from the sound, his back was broken on the spot.
1890. ‘R. Boldrewood,’ Col. Reformer (1891), 321. I was much deceived in them…. Very like…. It takes a smart man to be up to chaps of their sort.
1897. Outing (U.S.), XXX. 479/2. The players, like as not, handling the ribbons.
1898. G. Meredith, Odes Fr. Hist., 29. No more at midway heaven, but liker, midway to the pit.
† 9. As if about to. (Cf. A. 9 b.) Obs.
c. 1530. Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt., 143. The paleys trembled like to haue gone all to peces.
10. Comb., as like fashioned (adj.), -feelingly (adv.), -made, -persuaded (adj.); like-dealers, the designation assumed by certain pirates about 1400.
1401. Petition to Hen. IV., in Rymer Fœdera (1709), VIII. 193. Publicos Dei & omnium Mercatorum bonorum Inimicos, Pyratas, alio Vocabulo Likedelers Nominatos.
1540. Coverdale, Fruitf. Less. (1593), M m 4. Yet is God of this nature, that he maketh his chosen to bee like fashioned vnto the image of his sonne.
1621. Lady M. Wroth, Urania, 489. Wedded to a vow I made to one, whose breach of his like-made-one to me cannot yet vnmarry me.
1691. Norris, Pract. Disc., 57. The warm influence of a like-persuaded Princes Favour.
1839. Bailey, Festus, xxxvi. (1848), 363. He Yet feels the frailties of the things He has made And therefore can, like-feelingly, judge them.
[1849. [Mrs. Wilde], trans. Meinhold’s Sidonia Sorc., II. 144. That brotherhood, who … lived like brothers amongst themselves, dividing all goods alike, so that they were called Like-dealers [Note, These Like-dealers were the communists of the northern middle ages.]]
C. absol. and sb.
1. With qualifying poss. pron. or its analogue: Counterpart, equal, match, analogue, etc.
Sometimes in pl., (his, etc.) likes, though a collective or typical sing. often occurs where a pl. might be used.
a. 1300. Floriz & Bl., 483 (Hausknecht). Faire hi habbe here in inome At on palais, nas non his liche.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Anel. & Arc., 76. Of trouth is ther non her lich Of all these wymmen.
c. 1400. Sowdone Bab., 44. Whan ffrith and felde wexen gaye, And every wight desirith his like.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Huon, lvii. 193. His lyke is not in al ye world.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Nov., 40. Her like shee has not left behinde.
1597. J. King, On Jonas (1618), 65. Socrates was a man excellent for humane wisdome, the like to whom could not be found among thousands of men.
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. ii. 188. He was a man, take him for all in all: I shall not look vpon his like againe.
1618. Bolton, Florus, IV. xii. (1636), 321. A man of a barbarous blunt wit, but which did well enough among his likes.
1656. Earl Monm., Boccalini’s Advt. fr. Parnass., 105. He rendred his family as famous … as the like of the greatest Princes.
1667. Milton, P. L., VIII. 416. Not so is Man, But in degree, the cause of his desire By conversation with his like to help, Or solace his defects.
1802. Paley, Nat. Theol., iv. (ed. 2), 55. Producing their like, without understanding or design.
1847. Tennyson, Princess, VI. 321. Pass, and mingle with your likes.
1875. Whitney, Life Lang., ii. 13. When he first begins to employ preterits and plurals and their like.
1879. Jas. Grant, in Cassell’s Techn. Educ., IV. 96/1. Two men, whose like will scarcely ever be found in the world.
2. Something considered in respect of its likeness to something else; an instance of similarity; chiefly in proverbial expressions, as: like (will) to like, like draws to like, like begets like, etc.; like for like; like cures like.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, i. (Petrus), 543. Lyk to lyk accordis wele. Ibid., xii. (Mathias), 134. Lyk to lyk drawis ay.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, IX. xxxi. A good knyght wylle fauoure another and lyke wille drawe to lyke.
1528. Paynel, Salerne’s Regim. (1535), 68 b. Lyke ioyned to lyke maketh one the more furious.
1539. Taverner, Erasm. Prov. (1552), 8. Lyke wyll to lyke.
1581. Derricke, Image Irel., II. F j b, marg. Like vnto like saide the Deuill to the Collier.
1591. Spenser, M. Hubberd, 48. The Foxe and th’ Ape … determined to seeke Their fortunes farre abroad, lyeke with his lyeke.
1601. Shaks., Jul. C., II. ii. 128. Euery like is not the same.
1607. W. Sclater, Funeral Serm. (1629), 2. Illustrated by a comparison of likes.
1631. Gouge, God’s Arrows, III. lx. 296. In case of talio, or requiting like for like.
1633. T. Adams, Exp. 2 Peter iii. 10. 1304. No like is the same; Similitude and Identitie are different things.
1692. R. L’Estrange, Fables, ccccxix. 395. Two Likes may be mistaken.
1696. Tryon, Misc., i. 4. Every Like works upon its Likeness.
1842. Tennyson, Walking to Mail, 55. Like breeds like, they say. Ibid., Two Voices, 357. For those two likes might meet and touch.
1856. R. A. Vaughan, Mystics (1860), I. III. ii. 61. Only like can know like.
3. The like: something or anything similar; the same kind of thing.
Now chiefly in negative contexts, as ‘I never saw the like.’
1553. Eden, Decades (Arb.), 375. Sum doo wysshe he had doonne the lyke by theyrs.
1556. Robinson, trans. More’s Utop. (Arb.), 77, margin. The verie like in England in the riuer of Thamys.
1588. Parke, trans. Mendoza’s Hist. China, 388. Which is the like as we have said of the kingdome of China.
1598. Shaks., Merry W., II. i. 70. I thinke the best way were, to entertaine him with hope, till the wicked fire of lust haue melted him in his owne greace: did you euer heare the like?
16[?]. Ballad, Mary Ambree, 79 (Percy MS.). The like in my liffe I neuer did see.
1606. G. W[oodcocke], Hist. Ivstine, IV. 21. The like to this may be accounted of the continuall fire burning in the mountaine of Ætna.
a. 1626. Bacon, New Atl. (1900), 34. His Under Garments were the like that we saw him weare in the Chariott.
1678. Wanley, Wond. Lit. World, V. i. § 87. 467/1. Henry the seventh … having composed matters in Germany … hastened to do the like in Italy.
1772–84. Cook, Voy. (1790), IV. 1242. The drops were such as no experienced seaman on board had seen the like.
1820. Shelley, Œdipus, II. i. 85. She never can commit the like again.
1878. Simpson, Sch. Shaks., I. 35. It is confessed that Hawkins and Cobham were meant to be buccaneers, and it is absurd to deny the like of Stucley.
† b. Preceded by any, many, other. Obs.
1573. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 7. I prai you let this on suffice in stead of a mani the like.
a. 1592. H. Smith, Wks. (1867), II. 97. As for these objections, or any the like.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. 118. Had not Q. Curtius or some other like … revived the remembrance of him.
1631. T. Powell, Tom All Trades (1876), 145. And very many other the like.
c. And the like, or the like: a formula used to avoid further enumeration of an indicated class; = ‘and so forth.’ See also SUCH-LIKE.
1592. West, 1st Pt. Symbol., § 100. With these words following, or the like in effect.
1612. Bacon, Ess., Studies (Arb.), 13. Bowling is good for the Stone and Raines; Shooting for the longs and breast; gentle walking for the stomacke; riding for the head; and the like.
1657–83. Evelyn, Hist. Relig. (1850), I. 3. Everybody agrees that there is in our very nature sentiments of right and wrong; to do as we would be done by;… to clothe our bodies, and the like.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 155, ¶ 1. In travelling together in the same hired Coach, sitting near each other in any publick Assembly, or the like.
1773. Mrs. Chapone, Improv. Mind (1774), II. 43. If you have any acquired talent … such as music, painting, or the like.
1833. S. Austin, Charact. Goethe, I. ii. 30. Questions concerning time, space, mind, matter, God, immortality, and the like.
1852. Gladstone, Glean. (1879), IV. 146. The mundane, earthy, instruments of taxation, police, soldiery … and the like.
† d. Used as a mere demonstrative pronoun: = that or those (followed by of). Obs. rare.
1650. Earl Monm., trans. Senault’s Man bec. Guilty, 146. I doubt not but that ’twas ambition which kept Scipio chast, that was the sweetnesse of glory which charmed the like of Pleasure.
1653. Nissena, 145. He had changed his love affections into the like of Friendship, or rather of obsequiousness.
1654. Earl Monm., trans. Bentivoglio’s Warrs Flanders, 214. His death was accompanied by the like of Orange.
e. The like(s of (rarely to): such a person or thing as; now often depreciatory. colloq.
1637. Rutherford, Lett. (1862), I. 384. Many of God’s children beleiue that there is something in a broken reed the like of me.
1787. Minor, 171. Never more presume for to speak to the likes of me.
1825. Cobbett, Rur. Rides, 185. I never saw, nor heard of the like of this before.
1826. Jas. Mill, in Westm. Rev., VI. 270. The like of which exists in no other spot on the surface of the earth.
1850. Mrs. Carlyle, Lett., II. 137. This is the best school that the like of me was ever put to.
1872. Browning, in Life & Lett. (1891), 292. The second edition is in the press,… 2,500 in five months is a good sale for the likes of me.
1894. Du Maurier, Trilby (1895), 210. Are there no harems still left in Stamboul for the likes of thee to sweep and clean?
4. Golf. (See quot. 1881.)
1863. Macm. Mag., Sept. VIII. 411/2. The Captain hookit his ba’ into the Principal’s Nose, and the Laird lay snug on the green at the like.
1878. ‘Capt. Crawley,’ Football, etc. 89. (Golf) The reckoning of the game is made by the terms odds and like, and one more, two more, &c.
1881. Forgan, Golfer’s Handbk., 35. If your opponent has played one stroke more than you—i. e., ‘the odd,’ your next stroke will be ‘the like.’
† 5. Likelihood, probability. Obs. rare–1.
1609. Yonge, Diary, 19. There is like of war between them.
6. In phrases formed with preps.
† a. With like: as is (was, etc.) fitting, in a fitting manner. Obs.
c. 1200. Ormin, 8190. Þatt oþerr follc all ȝede bun, Swa summ itt birrþ, wiþþ like.
a. 1240. Wohunge, in Cott. Hom., 285. Ihesu þus tu faht for me aȝaines mine sawle fan þu me derennedes wið like.
† b. In like (also Sc. in to like), in liche: = ALIKE. Also, without change. Obs.
13[?] etc. [see INLIKE].
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, ii. (Paulus), 210. His ryk Þat euire lestis in to lyk. Ibid., xxxv. (Thadee), 70. His ryke Is stedfaste lestand ay in lyke.
c. 1430. Syr Tryam., 1571. Hedd and fete lay bothe in lyke, To grounde was he caste!
1540. Hyrde, trans. Vives’ Instr. Chr. Wom. (1592), U ij. She … which ought to count all in like faire & foul, saving her husband.
a. 1555. Ridley, Pit. Lament. (1566), B v b. All sped in lyke.
1557. Paynel, Barclay’s Jugurth, 75. His ennemies and his owne subiectes he dreeded and suspected both in lyke and after one maner.
† c. Of (a) like, by (the) like: probably, BELIKE.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 337 b. Harpalus (who by like had a good insight in suche matiers).
1570–6. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 215. In which respect (of like) he gave to the hundreth, the name of the same Towne.
1573. G. Harvey, Letter-bk. (Camden), 50. Of a like thai purpose to pluck Jupiter out of heaven.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., III. 24/2. King William … conceiued displeasure against Urban … and alledged by the like, that no … bishop within his realme should haue respect … to anie pope.
1579. [see BELIKE].
1605. Verstegan, Dec. Intell., iv. (1628), 89. The white rocks or clifs (by like about Douer).
