Middle English Dictionary Entry
līklīnes(se n.
Entry Info
| Forms | līklīnes(se n. Also likeli-, lik(e)lẹ̄-, lickli-, liccli-, (error) lilicnes. |
| Etymology | From līklī adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Probability, likelihood; bi (of) ~, in all probability, probably; as bi ~, as might be expected; (b) good outward appearance.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.396 : It ne semed nat by liklynesse That she was born and fed in rudenesse..But norissed in an emperoures halle.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.411 : He cast knyȝtly for tavaunce His ȝonge nevewe, as by lyklynesse To hiȝe honour.
- (1436) RParl.4.511a : By the whiche alienes.. by liklynesse, the Counseill, Ordenaunce, and Purveaunce of oure saide Souverayn Lord..is discovered to his Adversaries.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1087 : Seyng no lyklynesse to ben amendyd, Of hys host he took his leue.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1116 : He..cowd see no weye of lyklynesse To ascapyn.
- (1449) RParl.5.147b : Seeyng also verry lyklynesse within short tyme of intollerable hurt.
- c1450 ?C.d'Orl.Poems (Hrl 682)71/2099 : What is this lijf, a lijf or deth, y'lede? Nay, certes, deth in lijf is liklynes.
- c1450 Treat.Perf.(Add 37790)256/22 : Who that loves god alonly..forsakes alle..vsable thynges and..alle thoo that he vses agayne the honoure of god or ȝit be lyklenesse may vse.
- (?1456) Paston (Gairdner)3.89 : I suppose it wolnot chaunge yetts by likelenes.
- (1474) Let.Christ Ch.in RS 85.3283 : Whate grete avauntage and profittez of liklynesse may enswe..by entryng into the werre of Fraunce.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)55 : Dispreise tresoure..by treason..getyn where as by..alle liklinesse may be..wonne bye armes.
- a1500(?c1370) ?Chaucer Comp.A.(Benson-Robinson)15 : Wel I woot, by lyklinesse, If that it were a thing possible..I have no wonder.
- a1500 *Chartier Treat.Hope (Rwl A.338)134/11 : Hough happid it that the men wer of suche powere which by lyklynesse war withowt remedy?
- 1532(?a1400) RRose (Thynne)7542 : Thyng that may have no prevyng But lyklynesse and contryvyng.
b
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)1578 : Whan I considre..the liklynesse Of ȝour personys..Ȝe likly be..to atteyn..grete estat.
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.329 : There was no king Cristen had such sonnes fiue Of lyklynesse and persones.
2.
(a) A similarity; a similitude, comparison; adverbe of ~, adverb of comparison; (b) semblance, appearance; (c) a sign, indication; evidence.
Associated quotations
a
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(3) (Htrn 95)35a/b : Þe whiche resoun is confermed by licklynesse, ffor in þe same maner worcheþ a blynde man in a tree & a Surgene in a mannes bodie when þat a Surgene knoweþ not his anothomie.
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)6660 : Grace..Resembleth by lykelynesse Vnto the Rubye Vertuous.
- c1450 Battlefield Gram.(Trin-C O.5.4)120 : An aduerbe of lycclynes, as tu respicis sicut latro.
b
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)34b(2)/a : Instar:..[a] lylycnes.
- (1434) Misyn ML (Corp-O 236)110/9 : If he wer vnclene, not only fro all ill bot fro all liklynes of yll now abstene.
- a1450 St.Kath.(3) (Richardson 44)43 : What force is hit to me wheþer þe ymage be maad lyke þe face of a fayre womman or þe foule lyklynes of an ape?
- a1450 Walton Boeth.(Bal 316A)p.184 : Liklynesse [L similitudine; Lin-C: þing þat no good haþ in liknesse, Ne none in sothe, ne may not be desired].
c
- c1450(?c1408) Lydg.RS (Frf 16)2804 : Of body, shappe, and of visage, Of plesaunce, and of symplesse, And by al other lyklynesse Ther was no fairer borne a-lyve.
- c1450 Lydg.SSecr.Ctn.(Sln 2464)2671 : Shuldrys sharpe..Off evyl feith is lyklynesse.