Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Like
Like
(līk)
, Adj.
[
Com
par.
Liker
(līk′ẽr)
; sup
erl.
Likest
.] [OE.
lik
, ilik
, gelic
, AS. gelīc
, fr. pref. ge-
+ līc
body, and orig. meaning, having the same body, shape, or appearance, and hence, like; akin to OS. gilīk
, D. gelijk
, G. gleich
, OHG. gilīh
, Icel. līkr
, glīkr
, Dan. lig
, Sw. lik
, Goth. galeiks
, OS. lik
body, D. lijk
, G. leiche
, Icel. līk
, Sw. lik
, Goth. leik
. The English adverbial ending-ly
is from the same adjective. Cf. Each
, Such
, Which
.] 1.
Having the same, or nearly the same, appearance, qualities, or characteristics; resembling; similar to; similar; alike; – often with in and the particulars of the resemblance;
as, they are
. like
each other in features, complexion, and many traits of character’T is as
As cherry is to cherry.
like
youAs cherry is to cherry.
Shakespeare
Like
master, like
man. Old Prov.
He giveth snow
like
wool; he scattereth the hoar-frost like
ashes. Ps. cxlvii. 16.
☞ To, which formerly often followed like, is now usually omitted.
2.
Equal, or nearly equal;
as, fields of
. like
extentMore clergymen were impoverished by the late war than ever in the
like
space before. Sprat.
3.
Having probability; affording probability; probable; likely.
[Likely is more used now.]
Shak.
But it is
like
the jolly world about us will scoff at the paradox of these practices. South.
Many were not easy to be governed, nor
like
to conform themselves to strict rules. Clarendon.
4.
Inclined toward; disposed to;
as, to feel
. like
taking a walkHad like
(followed by the infinitive), had nearly; came little short of.
Had like
to have been my utter overthrow. Sir W. Raleigh
Ramona
had like
to have said the literal truth, . . . but recollected herself in time. Mrs. H. H. Jackson.
Like figures
(Geom.)
, similar figures.
☞ Like is used as a suffix, converting nouns into adjectives expressing resemblance to the noun; as, manlike, like a man; childlike, like a child; godlike, like a god, etc. Such compounds are readily formed whenever convenient, and several, as crescentlike, serpentlike, hairlike, etc., are used in this book, although, in some cases, not entered in the vocabulary. Such combinations as bell-like, ball-like, etc., are hyphened.
Like
,Noun.
1.
That which is equal or similar to another; the counterpart; an exact resemblance; a copy.
He was a man, take him for all in all,
I shall not look upon his
I shall not look upon his
like
again. Shakespeare
2.
A liking; a preference; inclination; – usually in
pl.
; as, we all have
. likes
and dislikes1.
In a manner like that of; in a manner similar to;
as, do not act
. like
himHe maketh them to stagger
like
a drunken man. Job xii. 25.
☞ Like, as here used, is regarded by some grammarians as a preposition.
2.
In a like or similar manner.
Shak.
Like
as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Ps. ciii. 13.
3.
Likely; probably.
“Like enough it will.” Shak.
Like
,Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Liked
(līkt)
; p. pr. & vb. n.
Liking
.] 1.
To suit; to please; to be agreeable to.
[Obs.]
Cornwall him
liked
best, therefore he chose there. R. of Gloucester.
I willingly confess that it
likes
me much better when I find virtue in a fair lodging than when I am bound to seek it in an ill-favored creature. Sir P. Sidney.
2.
To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve; to take satisfaction in; to enjoy.
He proceeded from looking to
liking
, and from liking
to loving. Sir P. Sidney.
3.
To liken; to compare.
[Obs.]
Like
me to the peasant boys of France. Shakespeare
Like
(līk)
, Verb.
I.
1.
To be pleased; to choose.
He may either go or stay, as he best
likes
. Locke.
2.
To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition).
[Obs.]
You
like
well, and bear your years very well. Shakespeare
3.
To come near; to avoid with difficulty; to escape narrowly;
as, he
. Cf. Had like, under liked
to have been too lateLike
, Adj.
[Colloq.]
He probably got his death, as he
liked
to have done two years ago, by viewing the troops for the expedition from the wall of Kensington Garden. Walpole.
To like of
, to be pleased with.
[Obs.]
Massinger.
Webster 1828 Edition
Like
LIKE
,Adj.
1.
Equal in quantity, quality or degree; as a territory of like extent with another; men of like excellence.More clergymen were impoverished by the late war, than ever in the like space before.
2.
Similar; resembling; having resemblance.Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are.
James 5.
Why might not other planets have been created for like uses with the earth, each for its own inhabitants?
Like is usually followed by to or unto, but it is often omitted.
What city is like unto this great city? Rev. 18.
I saw three unclean spirits like frogs. Rev. 16.
Among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Dan. 1.
3.
Probably; likely, that is, having the resemblance or appearance of an event; giving reason to expect or believe.He is like to die of hunger in the place where he is, for there is no more bread. Jer. 38.
Many were not easy to be governed, not like to conform themselves to strict rules.
LIKE
,Noun.
1.
some person or thing resembling another; an equal. The like lmay never happen again.He was a man, take him for all and all, I shall not look upon his like again.
2.
had like, in the phrase, 'he had like to be defeated,' seems to be a corruption; but perhaps like here is used for resemblance or probability, and has the character of a noun. At any rate, as a phrase, it is authorized by good usage.