\Like\ (l[imac]k), a. [Compar. {Liker} (l[imac]k"[~e]r);
superl. {Likest}.] [OE. lik, ilik, gelic, AS. gel[=i]c, fr.
pref. ge- + l[=i]c body, and orig. meaning, having the same
body, shape, or appearance, and hence, like; akin to OS.
gil[=i]k, D. gelijk, G. gleich, OHG. gil[=i]h, Icel. l[=i]kr,
gl[=i]kr, Dan. lig, Sw. lik, Goth. galeiks, OS. lik body, D.
lijk, G. leiche, Icel. l[=i]k, Sw. lik, Goth. leik. The
English adverbial ending-ly is from the same adjective. Cf.
{Each}, {Such}, {Which}.]
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.
Note: To, which formerly often followed like, is now usually
      omitted.
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.
Usage: [Likely is more used now.] --Shak.
             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} (followed by the infinitive), had nearly; came
   little short of.
         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.
{Like figures} (Geom.), similar figures.
Note: Like is used as a suffix, converting nouns into
      adjectives expressing resemblance to the noun; as,
      manlike, like a man; childlike, like a child; godlike,
      like a god, etc. Such compounds are readily formed
      whenever convenient, and several, as crescentlike,
      serpentlike, hairlike, etc., are used in this book,
      although, in some cases, not entered in the vocabulary.
      Such combinations as bell-like, ball-like, etc., are
      hyphened.

\Like\, n.
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.

\Like\, adv. [AS. gel[=i]ce. See {Like}, a.]
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.
Note: Like, as here used, is regarded by some grammarians as
      a preposition.
2. In a like or similar manner. --Shak.
         Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord
         pitieth them that fear him.           --Ps. ciii.
                                               13.
3. Likely; probably. ``Like enough it will.'' --Shak.

\Like\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Liked} (l[imac]kt); p. pr. &
vb. n. {Liking}.] [OE. liken to please, AS. l[=i]cian,
gel[=i]cian, fr. gel[=i]c. See {Like}, a.]
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.

\Like\ (l[imac]k), v. i.
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.]
         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.
{To like of}, to be pleased with. [Obs.] --Massinger.

\Like\, n. (Golf)
The stroke which equalizes the number of strokes played by
the opposing player or side; as, to play the like.