Like — Defs

01 a. Having the same, or nearly the same, appearance, qualities, or characteristics; resembling; similar to; similar; alike; -- often with in an…

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.
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.
“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 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.

Phrases & compounds

Had like — had nearly; came little short of.

Like figures — similar figures.

Syn.

[Likely is more used now.]

02 n. That which is equal or similar to another; the counterpart; an exact resemblance; a copy.

1.
That which is equal or similar to another; the counterpart; an exact resemblance; a copy.
“He was a man, take him for all in all, I shall not look upon his like again.” — Shak.
2.
A liking; a preference; inclination; -- usually in pl.; as, we all have likes and dislikes.
3.
The stroke which equalizes the number of strokes played by the opposing player or side; as, to play the like.(Golf)

03 adv. In a manner like that of; in a manner similar to; as, do not act like him.

1.
In a manner like that of; in a manner similar to; as, do not act like him.
“He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.” — Job xii. 25.
2.
In a like or similar manner.
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.” — Ps. ciii. 13.
3.
Likely; probably.

04 v. t. To suit; to please; to be agreeable to.

imp. & p. p. Liked; p. pr. & vb. n. Liking

1.
To suit; to please; to be agreeable to.[Obs.]
“Cornwall him liked best, therefore he chose there.” — R. of Gloucester.

“I willingly confess that it likes me much better when I find virtue in a fair lodging than when I am bound to seek it in an ill-favored creature.” — Sir P. Sidney.
2.
To be pleased with in a moderate degree; to approve; to take satisfaction in; to enjoy.
“He proceeded from looking to liking, and from liking to loving.” — Sir P. Sidney.
3.
To liken; to compare.[Obs.]
“Like me to the peasant boys of France.” — Shak.

05 v. i. To be pleased; to choose.

1.
To be pleased; to choose.
“He may either go or stay, as he best likes.” — Locke.
2.
To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition).[Obs.]
“You like well, and bear your years very well.” — Shak.
3.
To come near; to avoid with difficulty; to escape narrowly; as, he liked to have been too late. Cf. Had like, under Like, a.[Colloq.] See: Like
“He probably got his death, as he liked to have done two years ago, by viewing the troops for the expedition from the wall of Kensington Garden.” — Walpole.

Phrases & compounds

To like of — to be pleased with.