like

like
{{11}}like (adj.) "having the same characteristics or qualities" (as another), Middle English shortening of O.E. gelic "like, similar," from P.Gmc. *galika- "having the same form," lit. "with a corresponding body" (Cf. O.S. gilik, Du. gelijk, Ger. gleich, Goth. galeiks "equally, like"), a compound of *ga- "with, together" + Germanic base *lik- "body, form; like, same" (Cf. O.E. lic "body," Ger. Leiche "corpse," Dan. lig, Swed. lik, Du. lijk "body, corpse"). Analogous, etymologically, to Latin conform. The modern form (rather than *lich) may be from a northern descendant of the Old English word's Norse cognate, glikr.
Formerly with comparative liker and superlative likest (still in use 17c.). The preposition (c.1200) and the adverb (c.1300) both are from the adjective. As a conjunction, first attested early 16c. The word has been used as a postponed filler ("going really fast, like") from 1778; as a presumed emphatic ("going, like, really fast") from 1950, originally in counterculture slang and bop talk. Phrase more like it "closer to what is desired" is from 1888.
{{12}}like (n.) c.1200, "a similar thing" (to another), from LIKE (Cf. like) (adj.).
{{12}}like (v.) O.E. lician "to please, be sufficient," from P.Gmc. *likjan (Cf. O.N. lika, O.Fris. likia, O.H.G. lihhen, Goth. leikan "to please"), from *lik- "body, form; like, same." The basic meaning seems to be "to be like" (see LIKE (Cf. like) (adj.)), thus, "to be suitable." Like (and dislike) originally flowed the other way: It likes me, where we would say I like it. The modern flow began to appear late 14c.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • like — verb. I should like is normal in BrE and I would like in other varieties, although in practice the contracted form I d like is common, especially in speech. These forms are followed either by a to infinitive (I should like to come too) or by an… …   Modern English usage

  • Like a G6 — «Like a G6» …   Википедия

  • like — like1 [līk] adj. [ME lik, aphetic for ilik < OE gelic, similar, equal, lit., of the same form or shape, akin to Ger gleich < PGmc * galīka < * ga , prefix of uncert. meaning + * līka, body, (ON līk, Goth leik, OE lic): for IE base see… …   English World dictionary

  • 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 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • like# — like vb Like, love, eiyoy, relish, fancy, dote are comparable when meaning to be so attracted to a person or thing as to regard him or it with favor. Like (opposed to dislike), the most general and, especially when unqualified, the most colorless …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Like Me — «Like Me» Сингл Girlicious из альбома …   Википедия

  • like — Ⅰ. like [1] ► PREPOSITION 1) similar to. 2) in the manner of. 3) in a way appropriate to. 4) in this manner. 5) such as. 6) used to ask about someone s or something s characteristics …   English terms dictionary

  • Like — 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. [1913 Webster] He maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. Job xii. 25. [1913 Webster] Note: Like, as here used, is… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • like so — like this/like so/spoken phrase used when showing someone exactly how to do something Enter your details here in this box, like so. Thesaurus: describing or relating to ways of doing thingshyponym systems and methods for doing thingssynonym …   Useful english dictionary

  • Like a G6 — Far East Movement feat. Dev The Cataracs Veröffentlichung 13. April 2010 Länge 3:40 Genre(s) Hip House, Electro House, Electro Hop …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Like — (l[imac]k), v. i. 1. To be pleased; to choose. [1913 Webster] He may either go or stay, as he best likes. Locke. [1913 Webster] 2. To have an appearance or expression; to look; to seem to be (in a specified condition). [Obs.] [1913 Webster] You… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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