godlike, a.
(ˈgɒdlaɪk)
[f. god n. + -like.]
1. Of persons: Resembling God (or a god) in some quality, esp. in nature or disposition; divine.
| 1513 Douglas æneis i. v. 45 Is this the honour done to thame bene godlik? 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. II. 707 This ilk Dauid,..Godlike he wes, full of deuotioun. 1596 Spenser F.Q. iv. ii. 1 A god or godlike man..Such as was Orpheus. 1667 Milton P.L. vii. 110 Thus the Godlike Angel answerd milde. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 139 ¶3 By such Measures this Godlike Prince learned to conquer. 1725 Pope Odyss. v. 256 Thus spoke Calypso to her god-like guest. 1800 Lamb Lett. (1888) I. 156, I think that a more god-like honest soul exists not in the world. 1852 Tennyson Ode Wellington 266 On God and Godlike men we build our trust. |
b. quasi-adv. After the fashion of a god.
| 1667 Milton P.L. iv. 289 Two of far nobler shape erect and tall, Godlike erect. 1674 Dryden State Innoc. iv. Wks. 1883 V. 152 Praise Him alone, who god-like formed thee free, With will unbounded as a deity. |
2. Of qualities, actions, appearance, etc.: Appropriate to a god; resembling (that of) God or a god.
| c 1555 Harpsfield in Bonner's Hom. 3 Endued with most heuenly & godlike qualities. 1596 Shakes. Merch. V. iii. iv. 3 Madam,..You haue a noble and a true conceit Of god⁓like amity. 1697 Dryden Virg. Georg. iv. 139 Godlike to behold, His Royal Body shines with Specks of Gold. 1713 Addison Cato i. iv, To what a godlike height The Roman virtues lift up mortal man. 1725 Berkeley Proposal, etc. Wks. III. 230 An excellent and godlike temper of mind. 1809–10 Coleridge Friend (1865) 32 The God-like faculty of reason. 1830 Mackintosh Eth. Philos. Wks. 1846 I. 130 He was compelled..to forego his work of heroic, or rather godlike benevolence. 1870 Bryant Iliad I. iii. 81 Paris of the godlike form Appeared in sight. |
b. absol. (quasi-n.)
| 1831 Carlyle Sart. Res. (1858) 136 Is not a Symbol ever, to him who has eyes for it, some dimmer or clearer revelation of the Godlike! |
Hence ˈgodlikeness, godlike quality; likeness to God.
| 1649 J. Cardell Morbus Epidem. (1650) 35 Godliness is God-likeness. 1825 Coleridge Aids Refl. Wks. 1848 I. 216 Godliness, that is, godlikeness. 1839 Longfellow Hyperion i. ii. (1853) 9 The expiring God-likeness of Jesus of Nazareth. 1875 E. White Life in Christ ii. xi. (1878) 117 The Holy Spirit..communicating to good men of every age and generation God-likeness and immortality. |