Also 6 belyke, bylyke, -like, 7 bee-like. [? f. be = BY prep. + LIKE a. or sb.; ? By what is likely, by what seems.]
A. adv. To appearance, likely, in all likelihood, probably; not unlikely, perhaps, possibly.
a. 1533. Frith, Purgatory (1829), 121. Belike this man hath drunk of a merry cup.
1579. Fulke, Heskins Parl., 73. By like all their ceremonies bee not so auncient.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 157. In 1572, and belike before, he had a Chamber.
1741. Richardson, Pamela, I. 238. All these three, belike, went together.
1800. Wordsw., Pet Lamb. Things that I know not of belike to thee are dear.
1873. Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, 268. Caterpillar-like Become the Painted Peacock, or belike The Brimstone-wing.
† B. adj. Like, likely (to do something). Obs.
1550. Lever, Serm., 30. For they seme belyke to do moste good wyth the ryches.
1805. Southey, Madoc in W., IV. Wks. V. 35. They saw our food belike to fail.