Obs. exc. arch. Also 4 liklih(i)ede, 5 likelehede, 5–6 lyk(e)lyhed(e. [f. LIKELY a. + -HEAD.]
1. Probability. Chiefly in phr. by or of likelihead: probably, in all probability (cf. LIKELIHOOD, 2 b).
c. 1386. Chaucer, Prioress’ T., 144. She gooth … To euery place, where she hath supposed By liklihede hir litel child to fynde.
1495. Act 11 Hen. VII., c. 2. Preamble, Extreme rigour … wherby by likelehede many of theym shuld lose their lives.
1501. Plumpton Corr. (Camden), 151. Ye may have trial by lyklyhed what ther answere shalbe.
1533. More, Apol., 151. Certayne letters whyche some of the bretherne lette fall of late, and lost them of lykelyhed as some good kytte leseth her kayes.
1867. Morris, Jason, V. 96. Fellows, what have we done? by likelyhead An evil deed and luckless. Ibid. (1870), Earthly Par., I. II. 553. Alas! full little likelihead That he should live for ever there.
2. Likeness; resemblance.
1390. Gower, Conf., II. 147. Men mai wel make a liklihiede Betwen him which is averous Of gold and him that is jelous Of love.
1413. Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton), II. xli. (1859), 46. Though it passe my wytte, and myn abylete, for to counterfeten it in veray trouthe of lykelyhede, yet [etc.].
