Also 6 belyke, bylyke, -like, 7 bee-like. [? f. be = BY prep. + LIKE a. or sb.; ? ‘By what is likely, by what seems.’]

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  A.  adv. To appearance, likely, in all likelihood, probably; not unlikely, perhaps, possibly.

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a. 1533.  Frith, Purgatory (1829), 121. Belike this man hath drunk of a merry cup.

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1579.  Fulke, Heskins’ Parl., 73. By like all their ceremonies bee not so auncient.

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1691.  Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 157. In 1572, and belike before, he had a Chamber.

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1741.  Richardson, Pamela, I. 238. All these three, belike, went together.

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1800.  Wordsw., Pet Lamb. Things that I know not of belike to thee are dear.

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1873.  Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, 268. Caterpillar-like … Become the Painted Peacock, or belike The Brimstone-wing.

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  † B.  adj. Like, likely (to do something). Obs.

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1550.  Lever, Serm., 30. For they seme belyke to do moste good wyth the ryches.

10

1805.  Southey, Madoc in W., IV. Wks. V. 35. They saw … our food belike to fail.

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