Middle English Dictionary Entry
līk adj.
Entry Info
| Forms | līk adj. Also like, lic(e, lick, lich(e, lek(e, lech(e, leige & (error) lih. Comp. līker, licher(e, lechor(e, likker(e, lickor(e; sup. līkest(e, likkest, lickes(t. |
| Etymology | OE gelīc & ON; cp. OI līkr. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. ilich, inlike, alich, anlich & liche n.
1.
(a) Similar, alike, analogous; (b) ~ to (of, til, unto, with), like (sb. or sth.); ~ after, like (sb.); ~ toward, like (sth.); (c) of the same level, equal; ~ to, equal to (sb. or sth.), ~ unto, equal to (sth.); (d) appropriate, suitable, fitted; ~ to, appropriate to (sb. or sth.), suited to, in accordance with; ~ for, sufficient for (sth.); (e) ?as prep.: more or most like (sb. or sth.).
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?a1300) Guy(2) (Auch)p.542 : On Gij y þenke when ichim se..Ich wald sigge þat he it were, So liche þai ben of siȝt.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Dc 369(1))Job 16.4 : I myȝte lic thingis of ȝou speken.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pars.(Manly-Rickert)I.631 : An hous that is vncouered and droppynge and a chidynge wyf ben lyke.
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)14/18 : If þat ij lymes leeue ben I-woundid þat ben lich in complexioun.
- c1400 *Bk.Mother (Bod 416)63/6 : For sich as a man is, suche he draweþ him to, þat þei mow be liche.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)60b/a : Similimus: likeste.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)140a/b : Filberd hote rosted be vnderput, & lich þingez [*Ch.(2): suche oþer; L similia] chaufyng or makyng hote..be masticate.
- c1425 *Wycl.Concord.(Roy 17.B.1)4a : If þou fynde not þis text 'tribulacioun worchiþ patience' in P. in þis terme pacience, þou shalt fynde it in T. in þis word Tribulacioun, & þus of oþere lijk tixtis.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)154/12 : He red also of Richard Hampol, hermyte, in Incendio Amoris, leche mater.
- ?c1450(?a1400) Wycl.Clergy HP (Lamb 551)377 : Þu schalt undirstonde þat þe casis þat bitydden bytwene constantyne & siluestre & naaman & heliȝe ben wondir like.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.283 : Thei were of an egalle stature, and lyke of speche.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)186 : Galle off appyle or oder lyke ffrute: Galla.
- (1475) RParl.6.138b : The said Henry Bodrugan..dayly committeth like breke of your said Lieges, Amytees, and Sauf conducts.
- c1425(?c1400) Wycl.Apol.(Dub 245)19 : Þat man be cursid for þe honor of God and profit of himsilf..wiþ mani final leful leke causis.
- c1475 *Chartier Quad.(1) (UC 85)34/6 : For an example in cace like [*CQ(2): the lyke case] of an high prince byfell to Alexander.
- a1500(1413) *Pilgr.Soul (Eg 615)4.28.70b : Sith þat the soule is fourmed to his likenesse, som maner of corespondence must nedes be be twyn tho two þat be like.
- a1500 Bevis (Cmb Ff.2.38)39/801 : In lyke case was þe wylde bore.
b
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)889 : Eȝȝþerr wass wiþþ oþerr lic Ȝet onn an oþerr wise.
- c1175 Orm.(Jun 1)7931 : Þeȝȝre sang iss lic wiþþ wop.
- a1250 Ancr.(Tit D.18)131/29 : Ho weren like [Corp-C: ilich] to þise ȝeape childre þat hauen riche faderes.
- a1275 Serm.St.Nich.(Trin-C B.14.39)65/65 : He is liche to amon þat dropesie is fallen on.
- a1275 Stod ho (Tan 169*)32 : Þi luue sone uprisinge was selli liik to his birdinge.
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Ex.4.7 : 'Draw aȝeyn..þe honde in to þin bosom'; he aȝeyndrewȝ & brouȝte it forþ eftsones, & it was lyke to [Corp-O: lijk vnto; WB(2): lijc] þe toþer flesch.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.7.26 : Euery man that herith these my wordis and doth hem nat is liche [vrr. licchi, lichi] to a man fool that hath bildid his hous on grauel.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Mat.20.1 : The kyngdam of heuenes is lic to an husbond man.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.187 : A man haþ comoun worchynge and suffrynge leche to many oþere parties [Higd.(2): is comparate with mony thynges; L quasi communia operatur] of þe more world.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.ML.(Manly-Rickert)B.1030 : Now was this child as lyk vnto Custaunce As possible is.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.1550 : He..Let make..A precious ymage riche After his fader evene liche.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.4099 : Sche made many a wonder soun, Somtime lich unto the cock, Somtime unto the Laverock.
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Gosp.(Phys-E)p.145 : Heuen es lic til an husband That seu god sed apon his land.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)6382 : Of honi it had likest [Frf: likkest; Göt: lickest] sauur.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)9524 : In all wisdoms was he rike, And algat til his fader like [Göt: of his fader liche].
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)156/16 : Þe neþir boon..haþ..an additament lijk twoward [vr. like to] a bille or a pike.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)9.33 : Dixit, & facta sunt; And made man likkest to hym-self one.
- c1400(?c1380) Pearl (Nero A.10)432 : We calle hyr Fenyx of Arraby, Þat freles fleȝe of hyr fasor Lyk to þe Quen of cortaysye.
- ?a1425(a1415) Wycl.Lantern (Hrl 2324)44/13 : Þe secounde chirche here in erþe is lijke to a nett sent into þe see.
- (1440) *Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)139 : Lich on-to Balaam asse, Swech a warnyng me þinkith þat þis wasse.
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)19 : Yf thou asemble the in jugement, Beleke to Saturne in avisement.
- a1450 St.Editha (Fst B.3)4331,4332 : His body was smalle, leyge to a childe..Bot his hedde was gret, leyge to a gret malle.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)125/15 : Þis herbe haȝt lewys lek to madur.
- ?a1450 Agnus Castus (Stockh 10.90)205/9 : Þis herbe haȝt lewys lyce to houndberi.
- c1450(c1350) Alex.& D.(Bod 264)1041 : Wel lovus every lud þat liche is him tille.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)2445 : At we like [Dub: leke] worthe To þam of Ateynes.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)23/5 : A place covirde with clothys of golde lyke unto an halle.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)124b/b : Of brusuris wiþ stoon or oþer þing lijk to it fallynge on þe heed.
- a1500(1465) Leversedge Vision (Add 34193)31 : The which mantell was myche like vnto thes mantelles of thes ladyes.
c
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)30/26 : The verrey motus of the epicicle is cleped the equacion of his centre in the lymbe (zodiacus), to whom is lik the equacion of his argument in his epicicle.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)2.3245 : O thou divine pourveance, Which every man in the balance Of kinde hast formed to be liche.
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)9a/a : Þe soþnesse of þe essencia and of þe godhede is liche and euen in þe sone & holy gost [L equaliter est in ipsis].
- c1400 Fareth wele (Dub 500)9 : Nas neuere non..That myght a thosand foulde, I gesse, Be liik on-to youre worthynesse.
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Gen.30.8 : The Lord hath maad me lijk to my sistir [L Comparavit..cum sorore].
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)112a/b : Leie to þis medicine..to þe whiche þer is none founde liche to done aweie þis albula in oculo.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)58/37 : Summe of þe parischenys desyryng to make þe chapelys lych to þe parysch cherch.
- a1456(a1449) Lydg.BC (Trin-C R.3.20)21 : Booþe þeos beestes..Be fatte or leene, hit may not fayle, Lyke luk [read: lak] or plente of þeyre vitayle.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)149/4447 : We liche were borne as of parage.
- ?a1475 Ludus C.(Vsp D.8)151/3 : Ther is no lord of lond in lordchep to me lyche.
- a1475 Rev.St.Bridget (Gar 145)48/1 : The sowles that brynne þer-ine haue nott all one lyke payne.
- a1500 Lychefelde Comp.G.(Cai 174/95)p.523 : Thow schalt fynde no frende lyke to me.
d
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.113 : The word was lich to the conceite, Withoute semblant of deceite.
- c1400(?c1380) Patience (Nero A.10)493 : 'Hit is not lyttel,' quoþ þe lede, 'bot lykker to ryȝt; I wolde I were of þis worlde wrapped in moldez.'
- (a1402) Trev.Dial.MC (Hrl 1900)30/5 : What is licher to þe doom of God þan wiþstonde & put of enemyes, þeeues, mansleers from Cristen men?
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.3679 : I han non englysche þat þer-to may suffyse; It wil nat be, oure tonge is not lyke.
- a1425(?a1400) Cloud (Hrl 674)130/4 : I prey þee..þat þou late none see þis book, bot if it be soche one þat þee þink is liche to þe book.
- a1425 Adam & E.(3) (Wht)78/25 : To Adam forsoþe was not founden an helper lijk to hym.
- (?a1439) Lydg.FP (Bod 263)3.1224 : She weddid was, off berthe as she was lik, To kyng Siphax.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Grail (Corp-C 80)52.338 : To knowen which of hem that was best lyk that ylke bataille forto do.
- (1477) Paston (Gairdner)5.291 : Your husbond wyll geve but an C li., whyche is no money lyek for syche a joyntore.
e
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)5680 : Edgar..King was after Edwin..No licchere [vrr. lyckore, lickor; B: lechore; vrr. lichyr, lyker] is broþer him nas þane wolf is a lomb.
- a1375(1335-1361) WPal.(KC 13)1694 : To swiche a bold beste best to be disgised, for þei be alle maners arn man likkest.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Sum.(Manly-Rickert)D.1925 : Al the gospel may ye seen, Wher it be likker oure professioun Or hirs that swymmen in possessioun.
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)3.1028 : 'Ye, jalousie is love!'..But that woot heighe God..If it be likkere love or hate or grame.
- (a1438) MKempe A (Add 61823)109/16 : Þei answeryd a-ȝen, 'Þe Bischopys men,' And þan sche seyd, 'Nay, forsoþe, ȝe arn lykar þe Deuelys men.'
- a1450 PNoster R.Hermit (Westm-S 3)18/32 : He sawȝ oon in myddis þe furneyce wiþ þoo þre, a þing likest Goddis sone of heuen.
2.
(a) Likely (to do or be sth.); (b) probable; probable (for sb. to do sth.), possible; (c) ben ~ to, to be on the point of (being or doing sth.); (d) indicating (sth.), prognosticating.
Associated quotations
a
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)3.4300 : Semynge oon whan þei best can varie, Likest to acorde whan þei be contrarie.
- (1431) Pet.Warbelton in NPalaeog.Soc.ser.1 : Costes þat he hadde to helpe cese þe riot þat was like to a growe in þat behalfe.
- (1440) Wars France in RS 22.2446 : Ye shul entende to a newe day of convencion..where it is more like to be ageinst youre worship thanne with it.
- c1440 PLAlex.(Thrn)17/11 : Þe Macedoyns..ware..lyke for to be dreuen abakke & discomfites.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)10444 : He likkir be lost þen to lyue after.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)526/22 : And full lyke ys he to be a nobleman that ys their leder and governoure.
- c1475 Brm.Abraham (Brm)261 : Now for-wyll, my moder so swete, We too be leke no mor to mete.
- a1500 *Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)19/18 : An auncient paleys..the wyndes and the watirs had don such harme therto that..it was like to foundir and fall downe.
b
- (1446) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1p.lviii : cc li. tho wich is to hym inportable, and noght lyke hym to bryng abowte.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)10440 : Hit was not lik þat þe lede..Schuld haue killit þis kyng.
- (a1475) Fortescue Gov.E.(LdMisc 593)139 : It is lyke that this lande then shulde be like vnto þe reaume off Boeme.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)1.17 : Thow schalle fynde mony thynges incredible and not lyke [L verisimilia], and neuerthelesse thei be trewe.
- a1500 Lychefelde Comp.G.(Cai 174/95)p.520 : The erth opyned & swalowed all quyk As Datan & Abyron for her syn; And i am worse, hit is full lyke.
c
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)3452 : Hir lijf was lickest [Göt: lickes; Trin-C: licly] to be ded [Frf: riȝt was ho like ho sulde be dede].
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)42/7 : He spurred hys horse..and so..oftyn he was lyke to have smytten the herte.
d
- (a1460) Vegetius(2) (Pmb-C 243)2763-4 : His [the sun's] bright aristh is like a mery day; His rede aristh is like a breef to blowe.
3.
(a) Identical, the same; like..to, the same..as; (b) in (on, bi) ~ wise, in ~ cas, in (on) ~ manere, ~ manere, in the same way; (c) anat. & surg. of like parts, homogeneous; ~ membre (partie), a simple homogeneous constituent of the body; ~ siknesse, a disease affecting all the 'like' members of the body; (d) simultaneous.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)1.327 : Þat ylond of Ynde hatte Tilis..and..þe ilond of occean hatte Tyle in þe nominatyf caas, and beeþ liche in oþer.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mel.(Manly-Rickert)B.2326 : Ye be nat alwey in lyke disposicioun.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)20a/b : Þai drawen a watrihede fro þe veyne kyle and by consequent, i. lyke resoun [L per consequens], of þe lyuer.
- (1429) Reg.Langley in Sur.Soc.169165 : The kyrk of Seint Nicholas..xl marcz. Also to Alhalowekyrk in lyke fourme xxti li.
- (1440) Visit.Alnwick350 : We enioyne yow, prioresse, vndere lyke peynes that..ye gare seke your sustere Anneys Butylere, that is owte in apostasye.
- (1442) Let.Coldingham in Sur.Soc.12137 : The way that I purposse is this: to make thaym jointly bailyhez, upon like condiconz, endentid, betwix sir Davy and us.
- (c1443) Pecock Rule (Mrg M 519)347 : In lijk caas, þe woman haþ riȝt to aske and take lijk deede.
- a1450-a1500(1436) Libel EP (Warner)595 : Betokenynge good reule..by the kynge (And hit is so..) So one lychewysse I wolde were on the see.
- c1450(a1400) Orolog.Sap.(Dc 114)375/27 : If alle oþere thinges ben like, a man schalle..absteyne þere-fro.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1184/24 : He hath done..as I wolde have done myselff and I had stonde in lyke case.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)11b/b : Into howeuere so litil sensible parties þei ben departid, ech partie of hem ys of liche kynde to his hole.
b
- (a1382) WBible(1) (Bod 959)Num.35.17 : Ȝif astoon he þrowe and wiþ þe cast sleeþ, lyke manere [WB(2): in lijk maner; L similiter] he shal be punysched.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 3.11 : He that hath metis, do on lyk manere.
- (c1384) WBible(1) (Dc 369(2))Luke 10.37 : Go thou, and do thou in lyk [vrr. liche; lychy] manere.
- c1425 Found.St.Barth.34/8 : They florysch now with lesse fruite..by a lykewyse As it were a plante whan yt is wele y-rotyd, the ofte wateryng of hym cesith.
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)8 : This present was yovyn..to goode Hector, the which in lech wyse may be to all other desirynge bounte and wysedome.
- (1442) Proc.Privy C.5.323 : Merchaundyses..out of..Ireland..paye..pety custume in lyke wyse as..in Engelond.
- (c1449) Pecock Repr.(Cmb Kk.4.26)326 : In lijk and euen maner.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)1054/27 : I am disposed in lyke wyse as I promysed you.
- a1475(a1447) Bokenham MAngl.(Hrl 4011)10/4 : Anodur stagne..shuld..drawyne hem violently in to the stagne; and hors one like wise.
- a1500 *Chartier Quad.(2) (Rwl A.338)151/24 : Also in like wise [*CQ(1): in cace like] I rede of a woman.
- a1500 PParv.(KC 8)10 : A lyke wyse or euynly [Hrl: Allelykely, or euynly: Equaliter].
- (a1450) Code Laws in Willmore Hist.Walsall165 : Every Burges to be sworn to..kepe the Statuts..and..geve his assistaunce to cause other to do in lyke maner of wise.
c
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)8a/a : Symple [members] forsoþ bene consimile, i. like, which be noȝt diuisible in to anoþer spice.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)51a/a : Som beþ in partiez like and of o kinde [L consimilibus & omiomeris].
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)110a/b : Lepre forsoþ is..Sikenez like or consimile [*Ch.(2): a lyke sekenesse; L morbus consimilis], which is yuel complexioun cold & drie, euen & dyuerse, in party & in alle.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)38b/a : Þe vtilite off nesche fleische is for two skilles: þe firste is þat he mowe fille þe concauites..of oþere liche members þat þei mowe be of ffeire schappe.
- ?a1425 *MS Htrn.95 (Htrn 95)180b/b : To a liche member fallen sekenesse þat ben liche to þe same member.
- ?c1425 *Chauliac(2) (Paris angl.25)10b/a : The compownede members beþ the whiche þat beeþ made of þe forseide simple or lyke membres.
- c1475(1392) *MS Wel.564 (Wel 564)16b/a : Þe anothamye of Embrion and of hise consimilis or lijk membris.
d
- c1475 There stood (Trin-C R.3.21)8 : Take me with the, my ioyes be gone; Lat bothe be lyke, thy deth and myne.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- a1500 Ihesu the sonne (Hrl 4012)89 : When þou were on the montayne an hy To suffer deth then were þou leke.
Note: Supplemental material for 2.(c).
Note: New spelling
Supplemental Materials (draft)
Note: Med., etc. (sense 3.(c)), see further J.Norri, Dictionary of Medical Vocabulary, s.v. like party.