Likely

a. and adv. Forms: 4 licly, lickli, likliche, 4–6 likly, lyk(e)ly, 5–6 lik(e)li, 5–7 Sc. likl(i)e, 4– likely. [a. ON. líklig-r (also glíklig-r), f. lík-r (glík-r) LIKE a. + -lig-r -LY¹. (OE. had the equivalent ʓelíclic.)]

  A.  adj.

  † 1.  Having a resemblance, like, similar. Const. till, to. Also, resembling the original, portraying accurately. Obs.

c. 1400.  Rom. Rose, 4852. For he shulde setten al his wil To geten a likly thing him til.

a. 1425[?].  Cursor M., 21132 (Trin.). Þei were likely eiþer to oþer.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, II. xii[i]. 64. Mast liklie a waverand sweving or dreyme [L. simillima somno].

1530.  Palsgr., 317/2. Lykly of countenance, semblable.

1596.  Spenser, Hymne Beautie, 198. For Love is a celestiall harmonie Of likely harts composed of starres concent.

1657–61.  Heylin, Hist. Ref., I. II. iv. 38. Hath not the Father given us … a most excellent Mirrour, wherein to see the ill complexion of the present times? Doth not he set them forth in such likely colours, as if [etc.].

  2.  Having an appearance of truth or fact; that looks as if it would happen, be realized, or prove to be what is alleged or suggested; probable. † Also in advb. phrase by likely.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. I. 44. Sum men þenken licly þat [etc.].

1426.  Paston Lett., I. 25. I herde … no maner lykly ne credible evidence.

1436.  Rolls of Parlt., IV. 501/2. To the grettest likly myschief y^t may falle to the said Roialme.

1545.  Ascham, Toxoph. (Arb.), 101. By likely to hit the pricke alwayes is vnpossible.

a. 1592.  H. Smith, Four Serm. (1612), I 3. Hee would rather content himselfe with his present case, then commit himselfe to so likely misery.

1605.  Shaks., Lear, II. i. 11. Have you heard of no likely Warres toward?

1648.  Milton, Tenure Kings (1650), 25. No likelier cause can be alleg’d.

1814.  Chalmers, Evid. Chr. Revel., iii. 81. The apparent contradictions admit of a likely … reconciliation.

1856.  Kane, Arct. Expl., II. xxix. 291. The green spots … would be the likely camping-ground of wayfarers.

1879.  Froude, Cæsar, xvii. 275. The story told by Ambiorix was likely in itself.

1897.  Allbutt’s Syst. Med., II. 780. A likely source of infection.

  b.  As predicate to a quasi-impersonal vb., with complement + an inf., or clause; also in parenthetical phrase, as (it) is likely or it is likely.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Wks. (1880), 475. But it is licly, to many men, that siluestre synnede in his hiyng.

c. 1386.  Chaucer, Doctor’s T., 64. For that she wolde fleen the compaignye Where likly was to treten of folye.

1395.  Purvey, Remonstr. (1851), 82. We supposen, as it is licli, that King Jon [etc.].

c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 6639. It was likly he was made preste At fyue and twenty ȝere at neste.

1526.  Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 254 b. It semeth … more lykely that he ascended up certayne steppes to y^e crosse.

c. 1530.  Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt., 152. It was likely there to have been a great fray.

1583.  Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 37. It is verie likelie they doe so.

1670.  Milton, Hist. Eng., Wks. 1738, II. 116. King Edward, by force, as is likeliest, though it be not said how, reduc’d him to Peace.

1695.  Ld. Preston, Boeth., III. 106, note. It is the likelier also that Catullus did intend a Reflection upon Nonius.

1696.  Bp. Patrick, Comm. Exod. i. 10. They had heard the Israelites discourse, it is likely, that they never meant always to stay there.

1710.  Lady M. W. Montagu, Lett. to Wortley Montagu, 25 April. ’Tis very likely you will never receive this.

1776.  Ld. Stirling, in Sparks, Corr. Amer. Rev. (1853), I. 173. It was not likely any more British troops would be sent out.

1863.  Fr. A. Kemble, Resid. in Georgia, 16. It will be more likely that I should some things extenuate.

  c.  As predicate to a personal vb., followed by to with inf., where he (etc.) is likely to = ‘it is likely that he will.’ † Also (rarely) const. of with gerund.

a. 1300.  Cursor M., 4878. I sai it noght for-qui þat yee Ne ern lickli lel men to be.

c. 1374.  Chaucer, Troylus, III. 1221 (1270). Þou me … Hast holpin þere I likly was to steruyn.

1406.  Hoccleve, Misrule, 74. Ful seelde is seen, þat yowthe takith heede of perils, þat been likly for to fall.

c. 1450.  St. Cuthbert (Surtees), 1138. Þai were likly lost to be.

1513.  More, in Grafton, Chron. (1568), II. 759. He was not likely to speake it of naught.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 210. Kyng Henry the VI, thus readepted … his croune & dignitie Royall,… lykely within short space to fall agayn.

a. 1592.  H. Smith, Four Serm. (1612), I 6 b. Thou art much weaker then a Prophet,… and the likelier to haue a most greeuous fall.

1622.  Donne, Serm. (Judg. v. 20), 24. Men exercised in Judgement are likeliest to thinke of the last Judgement.

1653.  Walton, Angler, vii. 154. A hole where a Pike is, or is likely to lye.

1701.  W. Penn, in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem., IX. 79. The war is likely, and goods bear a price.

1712.  Steele, Spect., No. 515, ¶ 2. I am glad to find you are likely to be disposed of in marriage so much to your approbation.

1747.  Sarah Fielding, Fam. Lett., 90. Putting themselves to a very unnecessary Trouble to prevent that Pain which seemed not likely of befalling them.

1793.  Smeaton, Edystone L., § 123. The heavy expence they were likely to be at.

1849.  Macaulay, Hist. Eng., i. I. 144. Lambert seemed likely to be the first of these rulers.

1896.  Law Times, C. 466/2. The coronet … did not so closely resemble a Royal Crown as to be likely to be taken for it.

  3.  Apparently suitable or qualified (for a purpose or an action); apparently able or fitted (to do or to be something expressed or implied).

c. 1375.  Sc. Leg. Saints, xxxvi. (Ioh. Baptista), 837. A basare … stark & likly als but let to strik in twa his als.

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1174, Dido. Me thynkith that he is … likli for to ben a man. Ibid. (c. 1393), Scogan, 32. That ben so lykly folk in love to spede.

c. 1440.  Generydes, 2107. In euery wise He was a likely knyght for that Office.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, II. 364. Haile he [Wallace] was, likly to gang and ryd.

1543.  Act 35 Hen. VIII, c. 17 § 1. Standils or Storers, likely to prove and to be Timber-trees.

1557.  Act 4 & 5 Ph. & Mary, c. 3 § 1. Suche as were most able and lykelyest to serve well in the same.

1591.  H. Smith, Affin. Faithf., A 3 b. Deuising the likeliest policie to frustrate & disgrace but one of his Sermons.

1593.  Shaks., 3 Hen. VI., IV. vi. 74. Himself Likely in time to blesse a Regall Throne.

1614.  Raleigh, Hist. World, V. ii. § 6 (1634), 597. The best and likeliest means of their common safety.

1653.  Walton, Angler, ii. 45. We are not yet come to a likely place.

1692.  R. L’Estrange, Fables, Life Æsop (1708), 4. He … Carry’d them [slaves] to Samos, as the Likeliest Place for a Chapman.

1712.  Budgell, Spect., No. 283, ¶ 19. I regard Trade … as the most natural and likely Method of making a Man’s Fortune.

1748.  Anson’s Voy., II. ii. 131. This Island was the likeliest place … to meet with us.

1789.  Burney, Hist. Mus. (ed. 2), III. vii. 410. Lely gave me these papers as the likelyest person to get them perfected.

1796.  Morse, Amer. Geog., I. 365. The most likely rocks have been tried with aqua fortis.

1851.  Mayhew, Lond. Labour (1861), I. 380. I call at every likely house in the towns or villages.

  4.  a. Having the appearance, or giving evidence, of vigor or capacity; strong or capable looking. b. (Now chiefly U.S.) Of young persons (occas. of animals): Giving promise of success or excellence; promising, hopeful.

1454.  Paston Lett., I. 265. The Duke of York … wole come with his houshold meynee, clenly beseen and likly men.

a. 1548.  Hall, Chron., Edw. IV., 211 b. The kyng had … marked bothe his wit and his likely towardnes.

1601.  R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw. (1603), 48. The likeliest and ablest springals are chosen.

1686.  Lond. Gaz., No. 2128/4. Tall, well-set, likely Fellows.

1725.  S. Willard, in Rec. Lancaster, Mass. (1884), 235. I arrived at Dunstable with a Company of very good, likely, effective men.

1793.  Washington, Lett., Writings 1891, XII. 381. I am very sorry to hear that so likely a young fellow … should addict himself to such courses.

1863.  Advt., in Dicey, Federal St., I. 254. He [a fugitive slave] is … stout and well built; very likely.

1883.  Gilmour, Mongols, xviii. 226. Chinamen go to Mongolia in spring, buy up likely animals.

  5.  [? Influenced by LIKE v.] Of seemly or comely appearance; good-looking, handsome. ? Now U.S. and dial.

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, II. ii. 77. The damoysel beheld the poure knyght, and sawe he was a lykely man.

a. 1586.  Sidney, Arcadia, I. (1590), 66 b. These young companions make themselues beleeue they love at the first liking of a likely beautie.

1728.  Vanbr. & Cib., Prov. Husb., IV. i. You looked a good likely woman last night.

1748.  Richardson, Clarissa (1811), III. 325. She is very likely and genteel.

1802.  H. Martin, Helen of Glenross, I. 69. You are white, and she is brown; but you are both likely.

1807.  P. Gass, Jrnl., 32. The women are homely … but the young men likely and active.

1852.  Mrs. Stowe, Uncle Tom’s C., xii. You’ll soon get another husband—such a likely gal as you.

1859.  Geo. Eliot, A. Bede, xxv. That is Hetty Sorrel … a very likely young person.

1863.  J. G. Murphy, Comm. Gen. ii. 16–17. All the others that were likely for sight and good for food.

  † 6.  Seemly, becoming, appropriate. Obs.

c. 1470.  Henry, Wallace, VI. 379. Be wryt or word quhilk likis yow best till haiff? ‘In wryt,’ thai said ‘it war the liklyast.’

a. 1674.  Milton, Wks. (1738), I. Life 44. After likely Discourses [Lot] præpares for thire entertainment.

1742.  Col. Rec. Pennsylv., IV. 587. The Vessel had been cleansed and Aired in the likeliest Manner.

  † 7.  Was likely, also catachr. had likely: came near to do or be (etc.); = was or had like. Obs.

1494.  Fabyan, Chron., II. xxxi. 24. The … Gallis … came into y^e Capitoill & were lykely to haue wonne it.

c. 1503.  J. Flamank, in Lett. Rich. III. & Hen. VII. (Rolls), I. 235. Els, I hade lykly to be putt to a grett plonge for my trothe.

1652.  Ld. Monm., Hist. Warrs Flanders (1654), 274. A very hot skirmish had likely to have been, had not the King [etc.].

  8.  Comb., as likely † -looked, -looking adjs.

1709.  Brit. Apollo, II. No. 6. 4/2. He must be a likely-look’d Fellow.

1887.  Spectator, 1 Oct., 1305. The United States’ Navy Board … are ready to try any likely-looking invention.

1897.  Mary Kingsley, W. Africa, 406. Big Eloby is a fine, likely-looking island.

  B.  adv.

  † 1.  a. In a like or similar manner; similarly. b. With close resemblance (in portraiture). Obs.

c. 1450.  Mirour Saluacioun, 3348. The faderes redemyd fro helle ioyned he til aungels likely.

1552.  Huloet, s.v. Sc., Sc. and Sk. bene very likely vsed.

1571.  Digges, Pantom., III. xi. S b. Then are those vessels likely proportionall.

a. 1600[?].  in Montgomerie’s Poems (1887), 274. Not abill, in tabill, With colours competent, So quiklie or liklie A form to represent.

  2.  Probably, in all probability.

  Now chiefly most likely, very likely; otherwise rare exc. Sc. or dial.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 434. Likliche hem wantiþ to be þe leeste membre þat Crist haþ ordeyned to be of his Chirche.

a. 1420.  Hoccleve, De Reg. Princ., 412. And likly, þat þou demest for folye Is gretter wysdom þan þou canst espye.

1601.  R. Johnson, Kingd. & Commw. (1603), 104. When of one house there be three or fower brethren, likely one or two of them give themselves to trafique and merchandize.

1650.  Trapp, Comm. Deut., 159. And were ready to wish (likely) as the Romanes did of Augustus, that [etc.].

1683.  Moxon, Mech. Exerc., Printing, xxii. ¶ 9. That part of his Copy … being such as his whole Copy … will likeliest Come-in alike with.

1692.  E. Walker, Epictetus’ Mor. (1737), lvi. You’re likely in the right, when blam’d by them.

1754.  J. Shebbeare, Matrimony (1766), I. 15. The young Man who is to succeed him may likely spend his Fortune.

1812.  P. Dealtry, Lett. to Parr, 17 Dec., in P.’s Wks. (1828), VIII. 363. I shall most likely say a good deal on the subject when we meet.

1859.  Cornwallis, New World, I. 124. A quartz reef had been … abandoned, likely as unprofitable.

1875.  Jowett, Plato (ed. 2), I. 21. You may be very likely right in that.

1883.  Gilmour, Mongols, xviii. 211. Ask him where he is going … and likely he will tell you he is going to some shrine to worship.

1895.  Leeds Mercury, 12 Sept., 4/8. He will likely be asked afresh whether [etc.].

  † 3.  In a fit manner, fitly, suitably, reasonably.

c. 1380.  Wyclif, Serm., Sel. Wks. II. 335. Þus in þes fyve figuris many men licly suppose þat [etc.].

c. 1420.  Lydg., Assembly of Gods, 1442. So was that Lord receuyd … Lykly to hys plesure.

1674.  N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 48. The knowledge of heat that we have from the feeling of it, is far more off from the right knowledge of it, or such as may likeliest become God, than [etc.].

  Hence † Likely v. trans., to make ‘likely’ or attractive; to adorn, embellish.

1513.  Douglas, Æneis, I. Prol. 124. Or than to mak my sang schort sum tyme, Mair compendious, or to liklie my ryme.