Emily Dickinson Lexicon

LIKE, a. [Sax. lic, gelic, Goth. leiks, D. lyk, gelyk, G. gleich, Sw. lik, Dan. lig, lige, like, plain, even, equal, smooth. The sense of like, similar, is even, smooth, equal, but this sense may be from laying, pressing, and hence this word may be allied to the Eth. ለኬዐ lakeo, to stamp, seal, impress, whence its derivative, an image; or the sense be taken from rubbing or shaving. We observe that like has also the sense of please; to like is, to be pleased. Now, if p in L. placeo, is a prefix, the latter may be formed on the root of like. And if de is a prefix, in delight, detecto, delicious, delicate, these may be of the same family. Like is evidently from the same root as the Ch. and Heb. חלק, Ar. حَلَقَ chalaka, to be or make smooth. Qu. Gr. ἡλικος, ἡλικια. See Lick and Lickerish.]

1. Equal in quantity, quality or degree; as, a territory of like extent with another; men of like excellence. More clergymen were impoverished by the late war, than ever in the like space before. – Sprat.
2. Similar; resembling; having resemblance. Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are. James v. Why might not other planets, have been created for like uses with the earth, each for its own inhabitants. – Bentley. Like is usually followed by to but it is often omitted. What city is like to this great city? Rev. xviii. I saw three unclean spirits like frogs. Rev. xvi. Among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Dan. i.
3. Probable; likely, that is, having the resemblance or appearance of an event; giving reason to expect or believe. He is like to die of hunger in the place where he is, for there is no more bread. Jer. xxxviii. Many were not easy to be governed, not like to conform themselves to strict rules. – Clarendon.