Like \Like\ (l[imac]k), a. [Compar. {Liker} (l[imac]k"[~e]r);
superl. {Likest}.] [OE. lik, ilik, gelic, AS. gel[=i]c, fr.
pref. ge- + l[=i]c body, and orig. meaning, having the same
body, shape, or appearance, and hence, like; akin to OS.
gil[=i]k, D. gelijk, G. gleich, OHG. gil[=i]h, Icel. l[=i]kr,
gl[=i]kr, Dan. lig, Sw. lik, Goth. galeiks, OS. lik body, D.
lijk, G. leiche, Icel. l[=i]k, 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 like you
As cherry is to cherry. --Shak.

Like master, like man. --Old Prov.

He giveth snow like wool; he scattereth the
hoar-frost like ashes. --Ps. cxlvii.
16.

Note: To, which formerly often followed like, is now usually
omitted.

2. Equal, or nearly equal; as, fields of like extent.

More clergymen were impoverished by the late war
than ever in the like space before. --Sprat.

3. Having probability; affording probability; probable;
likely.

Usage: [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
walk.

{Had 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.

Note: 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.