King James Bible Dictionary

LIKE, adjective [Latin , Heb., Gr. See Lick and Lickerish.]

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 5:17.

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? Revelation 18:18.

I saw three unclean spirits like frogs. Revelation 16:13.

Among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Daniel 1:19.

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. Jeremiah 38:9.

Many were not easy to be governed, not like to conform themselves to strict rules.

LIKE, noun [elliptically, for like thing, like event, like person.]

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.

LIKE, adverb

1. In the same manner.

- Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Matthew 6:8. Luke 12:27.

LIKE as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Psalms 103:5.

2. In a manner becoming.

Be strong, and quit yourselves like men. 1 Samuel 4:9.

3. Likely; probably; as like enough it will.

LIKE, verb transitive [Latin placeo and delecto, with prefixes.]

1. To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve. it expresses less than love and delight. We like a plan or design, when we approve of it as correct or beneficial. We like the character or conduct of a man when it comports with our view of rectitude. We like food that the taste relishes. We like whatever gives us pleasure.

He proceeded from looking to liking, and from liking to loving.

2. to please; to be agreeable to.

This desire being recommended to her majesty, it like her to include the same within one entire lease. obsolete

3. To liken. obsolete

LIKE, verb intransitive

1. To be pleased; to choose.

He may go or stay, as he likes.

2. To like of, to be pleased. obsolete

LI'KELIHOOD, noun [likely and hod.]

1. Probability; verisimilitude; appearance of truth or reality. There is little likelihood that an habitual drunkard will become temperate. There is little likelihood that an old offender will be reformed. Prudence directs us not to undertake a design, when there is little or no likelihood of success.

2. Appearance; show; resemblance. obsolete

LI'KELINESS, noun [from likely.]

1. Probability.

2. The qualities that please. [See Likely.]

LI'KELY, adjective [that is, like-like.]

1. Probable; that may be rationally though or believed to have taken place in time past, or to be true now or hereafter; such as is more reasonable than the contrary. A likely story, is one which evidence, or the circumstances of the case render probable, and therefore credible.

2. Such as may be liked; pleasing; as a likely man or woman.

[This use of likely is not obsolete, as Johnson affirms, nor is it vulgar. But the English and their descendants in America differ in the application. The English apply the word to external appearance, and with them, likely is equivalent to handsome, well formed; as a likely man, a likely horse. In America, the word is usually applied to the endowments of the mind, or to pleasing accomplishments. With us, a likely man, is a man of good character and talents, or of good dispositions or accomplishments, that render him pleasing or respectable.]

LI'KELY, adverb Probably.

While man was innocent, he was likely ignorant of nothing important for him to know.

LIKE-MINDED, adjective Having a like disposition or purpose. Romans 15:1.

LIKEN, verb transitive li'kn.

To compare; to represent as resembling or similar.

Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, that built his house on a rock. Matthew 6:1.

LI'KENED, participle passive Compared.

LI'KENESS, noun

1. Resemblance in form; similitude. The picture is a good likeness of the original.

2. Resemblance; form; external appearance. Guard against an enemy in the likeness of a friend.

3. One that resembles another; a copy; a counterpart.

I took you for your likeness Chloe.

4. An image, picture or statue, resembling a person or thing. Exodus 20:4.

LI'KENING, participle present tense Comparing; representing as similar.

LI'KEWISE, adverb [like and wise.] In like manner; also; moreover; too.

For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. Psalms 49:10.