likeliness
(ˈlaɪklɪnɪs)
[f. likely a. + -ness.]
† 1. Resemblance, similarity; a semblance, similitude; = likelihood 1. Obs.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce iii. 88 But at the last thar slayne he wes: In that failȝeit the liklynes. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxxviii. (Adrian) 608 Þe feynd in-[to] þe lyklynes..of a marynare one þe sey to þame can apere. 1412–20 Lydg. Chron. Troy i. iii, Jupiter..Takyng lykelynesse of Amphitrion. 1571 Golding Calvin on Ps. xlix. 14 They chaunge the letter (Beth) into (Caph) the mark of likelynesse. 1596 Spenser F.Q. v. vii. 29 She knew not his favours likelynesse, For many scarres and many hoary heares. 1600 Hamilton Facile Traictise in Cath. Tractates (1901) 242 The halie spirit discendit vpon Christ in lyklines of ane whyt dow. 1604 T. Wright Passions iii. iv. 97 The similitude of inclinations, And likelinesse of passions. 1680 H. Dodwell Two Lett. (1691) 117 Books conjectured by Erasmus to be his from the likeliness of their Style. 1702 C. Mather Magn. Chr. iii. ii. xix. (1852) 442 There is frequently..much likeliness between a Plinyism and a fable. |
2. Probability; = likelihood 2. Now rare. † Also in phrases by, of likeliness (cf. likelihood 2 b). † Also, probable amount = likelihood 2 c.
| ? c 1370 Chaucer Amorous Compleint 15 Sooth is, that wel I woot, by lyklinesse, If that [etc.]. c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxvii. (Machor) 997 God is mychty to helpe; dred nocht; quhar man na liklines ma se. c 1400 Rom. Rose 7544 For thing that may have no preving, But lyklinesse, and contriving. 1436 Rolls of Parlt. IV. 511/1 By the whiche alienes..by liklynesse, the Counseall..of oure saide Souverayn Lord..is discovered. 1447 O. Bokenham Seyntys (Roxb.) 32 Seyng no lyklynesse to ben amendyd Of his host he took his leve that nyht. c 1470 Henry Wallace v. 620 ‘Maister’, he said, ‘as fer as I haiff feyll, Off lyklynes it may be wondyr weill’. Ibid. ix. 1010 Be lyklynes Wallace suld wyn the land. 1475 Bk. Noblesse 55 As by possibilite and alle liklinesse may be honourable and truly vanquisshid and wonne bye armes. 1530 Palsgr. 239/2 Likelynesse of a thyng that maye happen, possibilité. 1632 Sherwood, Likelihood, likelinesse,..probabilité. |
† 3. An indication, sign; = likelihood 3. Obs.
| c 1450 Lydg. & Burgh Secrees 2671 Shuldrys sharpe..Off evyl feith is lyklynesse. |
4. = likelihood 4. ? Obs.
| c 1470 Harding Chron. clxxxii. iii, There was no king Christen had such sonnes fiue Of lyklynesse. 1530 Palsgr. 239/2 Likelynesse or towardness, indole. 1735 Dyche & Pardon Dict., Likeliness, Handsomness or Worthiness. |