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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Like, Lyk(e, Lik, adj., adv., and n. Also: lick; lyck(e, lyik(e, lyick, liyk, lyek; leik, layk. Compar. liker, lykar(e, -er. Superl. lykast, -est and likkest. [ME. like, lyke, liik, early lic (Orm), also (14th c.) lik, lick(e, and (west midl. and south.) lich(e, lyche, compar. lickor (13th c.), -er, likker etc., also liker, lyker (14th c.), and (west midl. and south.) licchere etc., superl. lick-, likkest (14th c.), also lik- (14th c.), lykest, shortened form of OE. ᵹelíc (ON. lík-r).The regular Sc. form returns to ME. līk with the original long vowel. A type with shortened vowel appears also to occur, with the spellings lik, lick, lyck, both in stressed and unstressed positions, and is also found in the mod. dial.: this may partly return to the older ME. form of the compar. (but cf. also Likly adj., in which the shortening is regular, and Like v., in which a similar shortening is appar. due simply to the following -k).]

A. adj. 1. More or less closely resembling another person or thing in appearance, characteristics or condition; similar, also equal, to (unto) or till, or const. dative.Also Nane was him (it, etc.) like, none was his (its, etc.) equal or match.Occas. const. dative, or to or till an uninflected noun for an elliptical possessive, as ‘tail like a scorpion’ for ‘like a scorpion's’.(1) c1420 Wynt. i. 696.
And sum … Lyk off hewyd tyll hwndys are Ib. v. 3796.
Thi presens certanly Is all lyk till tyrandry 1456 Hay I. 13/20.
The third part of the see was lyke to blude Ib. 279/22.
As to the argument, it is na thing lyke till a man to be callit lyke name till ane other … , for quhy, … men has gert geve ilke man his surname that makis the difference c1460 Thewis Gud Women 185.
Quha defamyt war … Wald al the laif war to thaim lyk [: wyke adj.] a1500 Bk. Chess 1462.
Frendschipe for micht is lyk to caf of corne 1562-3 Winȝet I. 3/6.
Tweching religion … [we] can esteme it [Scotland] to na thing mair lyke than to ane schip in ane dedely stormecompar. 1580 Hay in Cath. Tr. (S.T.S.) 59/24.
Your reformation … is lykar to the reformation of Turkes … nor to ane reformation maid be Christian mensuperl. a1500 Seven S. 2392.
He has the lykest ryng to this That euer in this warld was sene(b) 1375 Barb. i. 58.
Thai said, successioun of kyngrik Was nocht to lawer feys lik Ib. viii. 234.
[In their accoutrements] thai war lik Till angellis he, of hewinis rik 1424 Acts. II. 6/1.
[To] ger stryk it in lik wecht and fynes to the mone of lnglande 1490 Irland Mir. I. 26/23.
Consider … quha is thi fader … and trawale to be lik to himsuperl. 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. Pref. 99.
This Adamsone … [is] Likkest to father Adam, I beleive, Surpassing Cain cursed(c) 1456 Hay I. 6/24.
Lucifer … said that he … suld be like to the hiest God 1535 Stewart 23905.
In his wodnes like till ane wyld lyoun(2) a1400 Leg. S. vi. 351, 4.
He that gyffis his almus here … Is lyk hym that in merknes gais & a lanterne before hym has, & he that … it deferris Is lyk a man that [etc.] Ib. xxxiii. 42.
A locht … As lyk a se nere to be c1460 Thewis Gud Women 107.
Quhen scho dois that is lyk ill a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 494.
A myten, full of flyting, flyrdom lyke [: tyke] c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvii. 35.
Ane rak of fartis lyk ony thunner Went fra him 1535 Stewart 34142.
Lyke ony lyoun he wes als brym and bald 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8006.
Wemen … ar … Quhylis lyle a wylde wolf, quhylis as a dow als tame 1566-70 Buch. Comm. on Virgil Eclogue v. 39.
Paliurus: (ane bus lyk the quhinnis) 1619 Elgin Rec. II. 160.
Androw … said to Elspet … that scho was als lyk ane witche cairling as he was lyk a grandgorie loun a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1735.
Ye are lyke the golk that hes not a tune bot anecompar. c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2829.
He one figur sawe … That him thocht it ware lykar than On god na be portured a man c1450-2 Howlat 106.
Lykar a fule than a fowle 16.. Inventory of Pictures in Clerk of Penicuik MSS. (Reg. H.) 6. Jan. 1.
This more rudish lyke, lyker copper nor the other, bot not so weell done(b) 1488 Treas. Acc. I. 82.
A diamant maid like a creill a1508 Kynd Kittok 4.
Scho wes like a caldrone cruke cler vnder kelliscompar. 1560 Rolland Seven S. 7192.
This woman is … in all sort sa done like my awin Quene, In all this warld was neuer ane liker sene(c) 1549 Compl. 58/17.
Ane comeit … sum tyme lyik ane bludy speir 1588 Sc. Ant. IV. 38.
Tak alme, pepper and ginger and birne thame togidder be they becum lyik wax(3) c1400 Troy-bk. i. 595.
So soueranly scho was subtill That thar was neuir nane hyr lyk [: ryk adj.] Ne neuir sall be c1420 Wynt. vii. 1154.
Nane off wertu till hym lylk [: kynryk] c1450-2 Howlat 895.
No bird was him lyke Fra Burone to Bewike ?a1500 Steel Roy Robert 82.
Vnder the hewin is no kinryk Off sorow hes bein to ȝow lyk a1540 Freiris Berw. 7.
Into this toun, the quhilk is callit Berwik. Vpoun the sey thair standis nane it lyk 1560 Rolland Seven S. 4931.
He was sa sle that nane was found him lik [: arsmetrik] 1572 Sat. P. xxxiv. 27.
In falset thay excell in kynd … In treasoun none lyik doe I find(4) c1420 Wynt. i. 745.
Tyll ane hors lyk ar his fet Ib. 788.
Hys taylle is lyk a scorpyown c1450-2 Howlat 933.
Thy pryde … approchis our hie Lyke Lucifer in estaite 1567 Sat. P. iii. 169.
Hir lauchter lycht be lyke to trim Thysbie, … In langour lyke vnto Penolopie 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary iv. II. 75.
Howbeit the cause ma be sumquhat lyck unto hir in ony thing that twichis you

b. Ellipt. for: One who or that which more or less resembles, ‘something like’, ‘something of the nature of’, ‘something of’ (the noun governed). c1420 Ratis R. 672.
Sum men mycht … call me lyk ane ypocryte c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5483.
All herbe and tre sall sweit lyke blude 1596 Dalr. I. 33/11.
A nuik or elbok of land, quhair is committed lyke a battel amang the surges of the maine sey 1650 Brechin Presb. 48.
Shee saw lyk a great smoak or a litle light in the house

2. a. Resembling something already mentioned or implied; of the same kind, similar, equivalent, equal.Without and (uncommonly before c 1560) with the (chiefly, definite) article.See also Dislike and Elike.In (the) like cas, effect, faschioun, maner, wayis, wise, see also the various nouns and Elike- and Inlike- (also Likemaner, -wayes, -wise below).(1) a1400 Leg. S. i. 218.
As God sal all mene honoure me And with lyk honour honourit be 1428 Edinb. Chart. 63.
And sua of vther lyke thingis 1458 Reg. Great S. 143/I.
Al uthire lik schippis … cumand within the said hawin c1508 Ch. & M. Prints ii b. .
Things in kynde desyris thingis lyke 1567 G. Ball. 2 16.
Lyke punischement for lyke offence Oft cumis to pas 1575 St. A. Baxter Bks. 23.
Dauid Reikart … to pay viii s … , and … Dauid Scot to pay xx s. for disobedience and lik offence c1600 Montg. Suppl. xi. 34.
To do to muche for auld men is bott lost; Of freindschip had to wemen comes lyik gane 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 1850.
These forsaid virtuous works … Our Williame, weell inclynd unto Lylk worthy works, inveits 1633 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II. 365.
Ane firlott quhyt aittis ilk heid of nolt nightlie and ilk fyv sheip ane firlott lyk aittis nightliesuperl. 1513 Doug. iii. vii. 37.
The lykast [v.r. lykest] thing levyng, And verray ymage of my Astianax ȝyng(2) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 2084.
Oetus … to Egra … Wrote in lyke maner 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 58.
Thar has grete commissaris … poynctit trewys langare in lyke effect to contynw as the first was takyn c1420 Wynt. iii. 15.
All on lyk manere 1456 Hay I. 204/30.
And in lyke cas as of the sacrament I say of the baptisme c1460 Wisd. Sol. 442.
Than I beheld that baith the wisman & the full deis and ȝeldis the saul in lykwys 1490 Irland Mir. I. 70/21.
Thocht Adam had noucht synnit … and the laif in likwis, … Jhesus had bene consauit and borne 1605 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 3.
He becam catione in lik maner for the said Robert c1650 Spalding I. 123.
This wes the first incuming of committees that euer wes hard of in like fashioun within this kingdom(3) 1400 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 53.
The said Schir Jone of Glen sal gif sic lettris to the said Schir Jone of Wemys in the lyke manere c1420 Wynt. viii. 1591.
Nevyre the lyk case Till hym before retowryd wase 1572 Buch. Detect. (1727) 159.
For thai suld haif the lyke offer maid unto thame 1590 Treas. Acc. MS. 198 b.
To … his maiesties tappisser to the coveringis of chyres … , veluet to the lyk vse c1590 Fowler II. 19/16.
To sclander … vthers be the lyke schameles impudencie 1602 Melvill 548.
To be renewit thairefter for the lyk space and the lyk gressowme 1666 S. Ronaldshay 53.
Intimation … maid … against all … haunting of superstitious places, … or other the lyk unlaufull meanes of thair healthes 1688 Musselburgh 33.
They make a full discoverie of ther nighboures accession to the lyke stealths of malt and corne(b) 1562 Inv. Wardrobe 128.
Ane pair of the like slevis of jennettis, with the bord of the same 1575 St. A. Baxter Bks. 23.
And gif euer the said Reikart and Dauid Scot committis a lik offence 1638 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. VII. 55.
Whilk paper sould conteane thir or the like words [etc.] c1650 Spalding II. 409.
Oure toune's people began … to knyt to till the knokis of oure yettis the like rip of oatis(c) 1558-66 Knox II. 264.
Thair is no realme … that hath thame [doctrine and sacraments] in the lyek puritie 1586 Waus Corr. 366.
It may happin they imploye me in the lyik ado 1599 St. A. Kirk S. 890.
If thai be fund in the lyik fault heireftir 1640 Hawick Ann. 46.
That ilk merchand that buys cuntrie geir with trone wecht sall sell it again in small with the lyik wecht 1641 Acts V. (1817) 342/2.
That the registrat bandis and decreitis in Scotland may haue the lyik faith as the Frenche tabelliounes in Ingland or Ireland haue 1650 Misc. 3 Spald. C. II. 196.
Item, charges the compter with the lyek nomber of capons for the crop 1651

b. Of two or more persons or things: Mutually similar, alike, more or less identical. a1400 Leg. S. iii. 1037.
All [men] are lyk, and ȝet … In ilke face … Men fyndis diuersyte Ib. vi. 130.
A lyk dreme dremyt thai bath 1456 Hay I. 145/5.
The casis ar nocht lyke a1500 Seven S. 2446.
Nor ȝit twa women lykast [sic, rh. with cast; for ‘more alike’] I trow … God neuer wrocht a1570-86 Maitl. F. cxviii. 5.
Knychtis and knavis cled in lyke clething a1585 Maitl. Q. xxxii. 12.
Reid bakwart or fordwart and ȝe sall find the lyike sentence and meter a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1068.
Like man like matter [sic] 1627 Rep. Parishes 64.
Bothe the paroches … ar bothe of a lyke lenth and breidth

3. He (it etc.) is like to be, he appears or seems to be, has the appearance or gives the impression of being (something). Also const. adj. phrase without to be, and noun-clause.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 685.
To ches men that to manis sicht Lyk war to be manly & wicht 1391 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 379.
His clemeis is nocht like to be richtwise c1420 Wynt. vii. 2173.
Bukis that ware lyk For till hawe bene all autentyk 1446 Reg. Episc. Aberd. I. 245.
Syn doun the brow til a mykill pot lyke to be castyn with mennys handis, and syn dovn … to the thrid pot dovn in the den 1456 Hay II. 7/12.
His behalding was lyke to be as of a haly man a1500 Colk. Sow ii. 13.
Scho was nocht lyk to be A worldly wicht, so windir fair wes sche 1658 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 179.
Item ane vther register of baptisms, which is lyk to be ane minut of the forsaidcompar. a1400 Leg. S. xviii. 895.
Twa lafis … That wyderit war eftyr sa faste Thane thay war lykare to be Stanys than bred Ib. xxxii. 311.
Quha-sa here ma luf chaste … Is fare lykare for to be Angelis thane manis kynd 1541 Sc. Hist. Rev. VI. 156.
The Turk is reterit … and hes done bot sobire skaith apoune Cristin men … quhilk is liker to be mirakle nor vther way a1578 Pitsc. I. 178/7.
For be his proud speking he was lyker to be king nor hiesuperl. a1400 Leg. S. xxix. 690.
For thai twa ware lykest For sic not [= purpose] to be the best(2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xix. 19.
Be I liberall … Ȝit will thai say … Ȝon man is lykeout of his mynd(3) 1456 Hay I. 168/13.
A mortall man that deis in ire … is lyke that he war dede bathe body and saule

b. absol., To be like, to have the appearance of being, to ‘look like’. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1760.
Ye bred of a singet cat ye are better nor ye are like

4. That may be expected, likely; also, that is apparently on the point of, that seems to be about (to do something etc.). Const. infin.Chiefly predic.(a) a1400 Leg. S. xxvi. 655.
Ony new story … That than be far lykare ware to be Warldly sang and vanyte Thane [etc.] Ib. xl. 1371.
The worme … wrocht sa in his schank & kne That bath ware thai lyk tynt to be c1420 Wynt. vi. 1247.
Syne we ar lyk na barne till hawe Ib. vii. 643.
The se wytht a gret spryng At the Stokfurd mad stoppyng All lyk to lete men for to ryde 1456 Hay I. 213/12.
Thai changit the name that Fraunce had than, and callit it efterwart Fraunce, as it is ȝit and lyke ever to be a1500 Prestis of Peblis 300.
Quhat sould sic men to gang to ane hoist, Lyker to beg then enemies to boist a1500 Colk. Sow ii. 164.
Than sett scho me to leir littill at the scule, Nowdir lyk to be a wysman nor a fule c1500-c1512 Dunb. G. Targe 115.
His luke was lyke for to perturb the aire 1571 Bann. Trans. 295.
Thair slaw resolutiones … is lyk yneugh … to prove incomodious to thame selvis at lenth 1600-1610 Melvill 33.
He was lyk to ding that pulpit in blads and fly out of it 1644 Baillie II. 203.
These men are lyke now in a sudden to change their note 1655 Annandale Corr. 305.
George hathe beine verrie sike thir 3 weikes, and not lyke to recover 1673 Red Bk. Grandtully II. 213.
It comes wp to her throatt and is lyk to chock her(b) c1420 Wynt. viii. 7080.
The Kyng of Yngland thowcht this like Tyl hym in profyte to redownd a1500 Henr. Fab. 638.
Quhat influence and constellatioun Wes like to fall vpon the eirth adoun 1525 Glasgow Dioc. Reg. I. 55.
Thar is ane barne … quhilk is now liand seik lik to de 1573 Sat. P. xlii. 266.
The clerk was like to byte his thowmis 1577 Waus Corr. 159.
For ony apperance or avantage that we are like to get a1598 Ferg. Prov. No. 594.
Like to die mends not the kirk yard 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 518.
I am like to sit my lone upon the ground 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 230.
A dreedful slaughter … which was like to ingage that whole country … in factions … like to put all Ross in a combustion(c) 1549 Compl. 68/24.
Sche hed ane croune of gold, hingand and brangland, that it vas lyik to fal doune … to the … eird a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. xii. 7.
Hunger and derthe that now is lyik to be(d) 1624 Rep. Southesk MSS. 15.
Ther is sume difficulties leik to be in the bargan of Killmaronnok

b. Attrib. in the superl.: That is to be expected, probable. a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1328.
Of deid dampnable … A synfull lyf is lykest messingeire

5. Impersonal, chiefly const. noun-clause. It is like (that): it appears that, also (common in Hay) it appears to follow as a consequence that; it looks or seems as if (something is, or may turn out to be, the case); it is to be supposed or expected, it is likely or probable (that etc., also const. obj. and infin.).(1) c1400 Troy-bk. i. 415.
It war lyk all thing suld brast … wndre that blast c1420 Wynt. vi. 127.
Or than in cas it mycht fall lyk Sum hethyn man or herytyk Mycht wsurpe Crystyn feys Ib. vii. 2015.
Lyk it wes be that thyng sene, That the spyryt wes movyd in tene Off the fadyre agayne the swne 1456 Hay I. 175/6.
Sen he gerris him first mak him obligacioun and faith to kepe prisoun, it is lyke that he traistit in his leautee Ib. 198/26.
And as to that, it is lyke that he suld nocht defend him, for [etc.] a1500 Rauf C. 519.
It is lyke … That sic ane stubill husband man wald stryke stoutly a1500 Seven S. 815.
For it is lyke … That mair mischeif sall fall ȝe [sic] Than fell ane knycht [etc.] c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 298.
My gude chyld, It wer maist lyk that thow wer wyld 1549 Compl. 78/20.
He brocht sa mony schipis to Grece … quhilkis closit al the reueirs, quhairfor it vas moist lyk that he hed maid ane brig of tre to couuer al the see a1568 Bann. MS. 141 a/30.
Its lyk that ȝe had eitin pyis Ȝe are so sweit 1628 Red Bk. Menteith II. 75.
It is lyk ynoughe he may be found at his brotheris house 1629 Fam. Innes 218.
Its lyk thay sell hawe ther will to muche to crube the kings prerogatiwe 1639 Baillie II. 446.
The small appearance of any great good it is lyke I can doe amongst them(b) 1375 Barb. xvi. 324.
Couth he … with mesour haf led his deid, It wes weill lik … That he mycht haff conquerit … The land of Irland 1494 Loutfut 29 a.
That he saw the balaynis … castand furth sa gret watteris that it wer lik of thaim rais a rycht gret flud 1659 Hay Diary 53.
It was lik she wold prove a creple all her dayes(c) 1391 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 380.
It is nocht like that he had richt [to the land] 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
It is like that the gret attemptatz that yhour men dois agayn the trewis is well concelyte fra yhour audience ?1438 Alex. i. 2344.
This [the turn of events] is weill like That all the war sall ouris be c1630 Scot Narr. 27.
One of the thieves railed on him … saying, So like as thou art that Christ, who can neither save us nor thyself! Rollock Wks. II. 188. I know not if it came to Mr. Knox befor his death … as it is like it did a1658 Durham Clavis Cantici 299.
It's like that in these times the most comely persons were chosen to carry the standart 1671 Short Testimony Concerning Catherine Allardes.
Its like I shal be but little believed by the benighted world 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. i. 93.
It's very like, at others budding, He turn'd his coat for cake and pudding 1689 Leven & Melv. P. 150.
If he does not confess freely, it is like he may either get the boots or thumbikins(2) 1560 Rolland Seven S. 2724.
It was maist lik hir hart to brist in two

b. As it is like, as it seems, as may be supposed; apparently, evidently, doubtless. c1420 Wynt. viii. 1798 (W).
All thai bodyis … Deit for the defens of thare kinrik, And are in blis, as weill is like c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxiii. 98.
The ja … skornit him as it was lyk [: skryke, stryke]

B. adv. 1. (Quasi-prep.). In the same way as, in or after the manner of. Const. as A 1.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 825.
The barde smaddit lyke a smaik smorit in a smedy a1500 Peblis to Play 241.
He fippillit lyk ane faderles fole c1500-c1512 Dunb. lx. 60.
Mell-heidit lyk ane mortar-stane Id. lxxxii. 18.
Ȝour foirstairis makis ȝour housis mirk, Lyk na cuntray bot heir at hame 1535 Stewart 17277.
Lyke ane dreme he leit all by him pas 1567 G. Ball. 42.
Thow can not lyke ane man repent a1605 Montg. Flyt. 105 (T).
I'se fell thé lyk ane fluik a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1777.
Ye lay up lyke ladies and seiks lyke dawes 1650 Brechin Presb. 48.
That ther wer som … goeing up and down the town lyk swyn [etc.](b) Arundel MS. 149a/151.
Thou wes lik ane lambe led to be slane 1639 Fugitive Poetry Xv. 3/5.
When once his wrath talks with, lik spunk on hearth c 1701–2 Honours Scotl. 114.
That he had acted lick a prety man(c) c1500-c1512 Dunb. Tua Mar. W. 273.
I hatit him like a hund 1540 Lynd. Sat. 624.
I lay braikand like ane brok 1685 Mitchel in Sinclair Satan's Invisible World Suppl. cii.
Peuther spoons, fine like silver(d) 1549 Compl. 5/18, 19.
Jhone of Loran … nocht alanerly vsit hym lyik ane speretual pastor, bot as veil he hes vsit hym lyik ane vailȝeant captan Ib. 33/5.
Epicurius said that the varld is ronde lyik ane boule a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. v. 14.
Kirkmen cled lyik men of weir, … Lyik ruffiaris is thair array a1585 Maitl. Q. lxv. 46.
Trimbling teiris distilling … Out from hir eis lyik flowing stremis of raine 1685 Dunlop P. III. 17.
The cuntry is very hot most lyek our hotest wather in Jun(2) c1500-c1512 Dunb. xlvi. 78.
Hir goldin tressit hairis … Lyk to Appollois bemis thocht thay schone 1513 Doug. iv. v. 147.
Mercur … Vnto the sey fludis maid hys discens; Lyke till a fowle that … Fleys by the watyr [etc.] a1568 Bann. MS. 263 b/14.
Than is scho blyith quhen he is in his skin Bowdin for baill, lyik to a beist wald birst 1584 Sempill Sat. P. xlv. Pref. 17.
Veneriall pastouris … Lyk to the scrybes, closing the yeattis of heawin c1590 Fowler I. 303/20.
I culd … lyk to the Inglish wrytars who intitulats thair bookes with glorious inscriptionis … haif niknamed the same [etc.] 1611-57 Mure Misc. P. i. 56.
The sweitest joyes proue oft in end most sowre, Lyk to a fair sunschyne befoir a schoure

2. adv. Alike, equally, similarly; in the same condition, unalteringly.(1) c1420 Wynt. i. Prol. 122.
Wytht Ynglis and Scottis storys syne And othir incedeyns sere Accordand lyk tyll our matere 1563 Inverness Rec. I. 101.
Euerilk man thair skayr pairt and pairt lyke c1590 Fowler I. 52/132.
We … bothe together marked lyke and touched with one pik(2) a1500 Henr. Fab. 651.
We theifis … For euer we steill and euer ar lyke pure

3. adv. or adj., quasi-conj. As if. a. Const. adj. phrase: So as to appear to be or give the impression of being. 1405 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 59.
Yhour men of Inglande has rydyne in Scotlande wyth gret company like in fere of were

b. So as to appear, or to seem about, to do something. c1420 Wynt. vii. 94.
Wyth this the knycht all changyd hewe Lyk hys purpos all to rewe c1515 Asl. MS. I. 166/7.
In that cuntre the se rysis wp to the cluddis lyke to drovne the erd c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxvi. 18.
And first of all in dance was Pryd, With bair wyld bak and bonet on syd, Lyk to mak vaistie wanis

c. So as almost to make it appear or give the impression (that something is so). c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 298.
It wer maist lyk that thow wer wyld 1558-66 Knox I. 403.
Thay … brek doun … the guid … money … into this thair corruptit skruiff … maist lyik that sche and thay had conspyreit to destroy all the haill gud cunȝey of this realme 1567 Sempill Sat. P. viii. 42.
Maist like, sum myllare of ane myll Had maid the mater of the bill

C. Like as. Also written as one word. Also lyksay as, lyk alswey as. 1. Introducing a subordinate (chiefly adverbial) clause. Also with ellipsis of the verb of the clause. a. In the same way or after the same manner as; also, in the same condition as, to the same extent or amount as; just as, even as.(1) 1428 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III. 461.
Makand the said land … free at thair vscher lyke as ony of thaim resavis it at thair entre 1456 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 14.
That thai pay their dewteis to the alter lyk as the laif of the craft dois 1488 Treas. Acc. I. 93.
To Archbalde Edmanston for the byggin and reparacion of the hunt hall, lykeas his bil beyris 1492 Myll Spect. 297/15.
Venus … gaif me thre gyftis, lyk as scho dois to all thaim that contynewis in to hyr cowrt c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxii. 44.
I will no lesingis put in vers, Lyk as thir jangleris dois rehers 1513 Doug. vi. iii. 93.
Lyke as ful oft … The gum … Is wont to seym ȝallow on the grane new 1549 Elgin Rec. I. 213.
[These burghs] is not daylie impesched with them [the English] lykeas uther borrowis … ar 1562 Rec. Univ. Aberd. 126.
Divers utheris sciences lyck as the samyn langtyme bipast has been daylie … exerceit a1578 Pitsc. I. 341/29.
King Harrie … wald cause him to cast doune the abbayis of Scotland lykeas he had done in Ingland a1605 Montg. Misc. P. xxvii. 5.
Till … the prilk of jelousie it sleu, Lyk as my heu … furthsheu(b) 1452 Douglas Chart. 79.
To … defende the said schir Archibald … lik as a lord aucht to … defende his cousingis and men 1484 Acta Aud. 135/2.
Takande the Inglis groit for ii s., lik as it had cours for the tym 1574 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 435.
The teyndschaves … pertening to him … lik as the same hes pertenit to him … the space of sevin yeiris last bypast(c) 1462 Chart. (Reg. H.) No. 368.
[To] bruke … the said annuale pessabilly like as thai did of befor the alienacon of it 1504 Breadalbane Coll. No. 32.
Thar landis … to … birne like as oure said lieutennand thinkis maist expedient 1519 Fife Sheriff Ct. 162.
Dame Katrine … had … maid the said Williame hir assigna … like as scho … grantit opinly(d) 1510 Rec. Earld. Orkney 86.
Lyik as the conditione ves betuix Schir Dauit [etc.] … sua sal the said Vilȝem bruik the plaice of Hurre 1562 Crim. Trials I. i. 422.
[He] labouris in ane hevy … sicknes instantlie lyik as he has done sen … December lastbypast 1568 Haddington Corr. 273.
We … revoikis … the pretendit commissiones allegeit gevin … be ws, … lyikas we diuers tymes of befoir … hes revokit the samin 1588 Douglas Corr. 239.
Lyik as my predicessouris hes beine hamlie with ȝour predicessouris, sua meyn I … to continew in freindschip towardis ȝow(2) a1500 Colk. Sow iii. 28.
Lyk as a man heidit he may no moir c1500-c1512 Dunb. xi. 5.
For as thow come so sall thow pas, Lyk as [M. till] ane schaddow in ane glas c 1515 Douglas Corr. 67.
I … haue send my traist seruitour … instrukit lyck as ȝour seruitour(3) 15.. Aberd. B. Rec. MS. (Jam.).
Lyksay as he war present hymself c 1560 Old Ross-shire I. 12.
The haill towne and … kirk of Tayne lyk alswey as the crofts … thairof ar haldin of the samyn [persons]

b. Also introducing an adjectival clause giving an instance: Such as. 1567 Lanark B. Rec. 37.
He sal sarve the toun for thair knaifcheip … lyk as thej gat at Mouis Myl 1567 G. Ball. 210.
Inuentit wayis to get thame graith, Lyke as the Mes 1626 Justiciary Cases I. 53.
Ane testimoniall subscryuit be the minister … and be ane number of the elderis … lyk as the laird of Ker

c. So that it seems as if, as if. 1495 Chart. (Reg. H.) No. 596.
And at we … sal stand in hartlie fauouris & kyndnes to the saidis Andro [etc.] … lyk as the slachtyr of the said John … had neuir bein committit thame c1500-c1512 Dunb. Flyt. 52.
Evil farit and dryit … Lyke as the gleddis had on thy gulesnowt dynd 1533 Boece ix. vi. 299 b.
Thir haly feistis … ar like as thai war changeit in drynking, karoling, amouris … and sic vthir vicis a1585 Maitland Maitl. Q. xxix. 56.
Thair gridie hairtis can neuer be content Lyike as this warld and thay sould euer lest a1578 Pitsc. I. 21/7.
[The Earl] with ane iyrefull countinance lykas he haid beine wood … ansueris him Ib. II. 37/23.
The Scottis … past … round about ane hill … lyk as they wald had no thing ado witht the Inglischemen 1589 Craig-Brown Selkirkshire I. 167.
That the persuers and defenders sall be in amitie … like as nae actions were dependant betuixt us

2. Introducing a principal statement and referring to the previous statement: And in this manner, likewise, similarly; and also, furthermore; and even so.(1) 1489 Lennox Mun. I. 130.
The trew barownis … ar be the … menys of the said personis … distroyit; lik as thai haue schapin nov of late to … distroy the Archibischop 1494 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II. 354.
The said Jhon … sal put the said Henrie in fee of his landis [etc.] … lykeas the said Henry … sal [etc.] 1559–60 Soc. Ant. XI. 522.
As ane place lyk as it was of veritie mair … secreit … nor ony vther pairt of our … duelling place 1566 Anderson Collect. Mary II. 271.
The Quene remaynit at Glascow lyck as she did the 25^th and 26^th 1584 Acts III. 355/2.
And our said souerane lord … ordinis the saidis personis … to be … revincit likas his hienes … revincis thame to the saidis benefices 1596–7 Misc. Spald. C. I. 91.
Quhilk beand cassin in, hir barm suld be restorit to hir againe, lyik as it was restorit in effect 1602 Elgin Rec. II. 105.
The barrounes to be aduerteist to convene to tak ordour with the brokkin men, lykas Alexander Boynd hes promeist to adverteis the Laird Duffous 1603 Inverness Rec. II. 14.
Lyick as be the tennor hierof [etc.] 1624 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 232.
Edictis gevin out … in Dunkirke … that all merchand schippes … salbe maid pryis lykeas William Dick had tuo schippes laidnit with quheatt takin in to Dunkirk or Ostend 1629 Kirkcudbright Min. Bk. 230.
The said Mr George obleises him … to teich his scollers their learning … Lykeas, the said Mr George obleises him … to reid in the kirk the prayers 1629 Justiciary Cases I. 133.
[She] was desyreous to haif bocht the said kow; … lykas tuentie sevin pund was offerit be hir for the said kow quhilk was refuisit 1645 Irvine Mun. II. 62.
[They] oblisis thame … to pay [etc.] … lyckas they obleis thame to … remove fra the said myln at the outrynning of this present tak 1695 Rothesay Par. Rec. 135.
They have therfore voted and appointed, lykeas they by thir presents appoints [etc.](2) 1569 Canongate Ct. Bk. 5.
The said Jonet … hes continwallie occupiit the said bakland sensyne lyk as yit

D. noun. 1. The same kind of thing, action etc. as something already mentioned or implied. Chiefly the like, but also without article and in plur.(1) c1420 Wynt. v. 3960.
To se the qwyk the dede dyspoyle … , The lyk it is … A gentillman to rewe a preyst 1562-3 Winȝet II. 15/15.
Gif … I vseit his iugement or [= before] myn awin, I inserit it within sik twa () circulis, … as sumtyme I did the lyke, eikin sum thing to explane an obscuir word 1574 Inverness Rec. I. 237.
Gif I war sic ane man to haif spokin the like of my Lord Regentis grace 1585 James VI Ess. 42.
[Deceased friends] Can noght returne, yet men are not so rair, Bot ye may get the lyke 1591 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 53.
Outlawis quha … committis maist heivie heirscheipis … to the encurragement of otheris to do the lyk heirefter 1600 Misc. Maitl. C. I. 135.
Gif the lyk be fund in hir heiraftir 1645 Misc. Hist. Soc. I. 132.
[Ask her] to wryte that hir self and bill Charles is weill and I sall not faill to meit hir with the lyk for billie James c1650 Spalding II. 293.
Thairefter he went north to vther burrowis and did the like 1667 Aberd. Council Lett. IV. 317.
To stop it or anie other that is to doe the layk 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 494.
This rich tack … continued … till March, the lick neuer heard or known here before 1680 Cloud of Witnesses 40.
I did never mind the like 1696 Cramond Kirk S. IV. 20 Dec.
Not to be found in the like hereafter(2) 1567 Sat. P. iii. 160.
[Hero] for Leanderis deth Hir self to slay for wo quha thocht delyte: For Henryis saik to lyke our quene war laith a1585 Arbuthnot Maitl. Q. xxxvii. 88.
Quhen sumtyme lyik sufferit Sanct Paull 1580-92 James VI Lusus R. 31.
The prouerbe makis relation That lykes in tribulation Is wratchis consolation

b. Without article in the proverbial phrases lyke to or for lyke.(1) a1400 Leg. S. i. 543.
Symon to Nero com agane That of his cumin wes rycht fane, For lyk to lyk accordis wele Ib. xii. 134.
& in proverbe I haf hard say That lyk to lyk drawis ay 1456 Hay I. 77/25.
For like lufis lyke, and lyke drawis to like, and lyke joyis with the lyke c1460 Thewis Gud Women 118. 1535 Stewart 42657.(2) a1570-86 Arbuthnot Maitl. F. xxix. 142.
I luif the vertew callit gratitude And lyk for lyk I ȝarne to ȝeild agane

c. In enumeration of instances: And the lyk(e, = ‘and so forth’. 1642 Glasg. Univ. Mun. II. 466.
That the schollers be exercised in lawful games, such as gouffe, archarie and the lyk 1656 Glasgow B. Rec. II. 332.
Seing nessessar it is that the streits be red and maid clein of all midings and the lyk

2. a. The like of (an action or thing), anything like it. b. The match, equal, counterpart of a person or const. possess.a. 1568 Anderson Collect. Mary IV. i. 122.
And als it wald be odious to all utheris … nationis that the lyik thairof [sc. Mary's imprisonment] hes not bene sene 1579 Atholl Mun. I. No. 90.
[He] saw the stomak quhairin thair wes a reid mater quhairof the deponar haid not sene the like of befoir ?1661-5 M. Bruce Soul-Confirmation (1709) 4.
The like of it was never heard tell ofb. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 249.
He wes … sa gentill, … that his lyik eithlie culd not heirtofoir be fundin 1684 Cloud of Witnesses 238.
They and ye and the like of you will count for it 1685-8 Renwick Serm. 494.
Go where you will, ye will not find the like of him

c. The like of, such a person or thing etc. as (me, that, etc.); chiefly depreciatory. 1637 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 197.
He hath poured doun rivers upon a dry wilderness the like of me 1638 Ib. 554.
Green and young heirs, the like of sinners 1651 Ib. 666.
I think Christ's pilgrim weeds … are more honourable than ever it became the like of us to wear 1676 Welsh Gospel Summonds 13.
Christ … suffered all this for the like of you and me Id. Alarm to Impenitent (1710) 13.
God would never have judged the like of me to hell 1680 Cloud of Witnesses 41.
It may be ye will take but little notice of what the like of me says 1681 Ib. 110.
I had never such a sweet life as I haue had since he brought me to the like of thir trials 1684 Ib. 220. 1661 Jaffray Diary 165.
Who takes notice of the like of that?

3. In, in to, of lyk(e. a. Alike; equal, equally. b. In the same state, unchanging; constantly, always.See also In like, and cf. Alike adj., Alike adv., Elike, and B 2 above.a (1) a1400 Leg. S. ii. 5 2.
In lyk thai [Peter and Paul] ware in halynes 1464 Chart. (Reg. H.) C.O. No. 59.
Baith the partis sall be in lyk in costis thairto a1500 Bk. Chess 1087.
That euery man suld haue in lyk of land Ib. 2162.
All popular he has in lyke moving … dyrect fra the king(2) 1600 Crim. Trials II. 114.
Seing it is of lyke of the law ‘nocht to be att the horne’ and ‘nocht to be lauchfullie putt to the horne’b. a1400 Leg. S. ii. 210.
Paule … prechit … Of Criste … and of his ryk That euire lestis in to lyk Ib. xxxiv. 56.
For scho in sic luste ay In lyk redy wes to play Ib. xxxv. 70.
I treu that God is & his ryke Is stedfaste lestand ay in lyke

E. -like suffix.The OE. adj.-forming ending lc- and adv.-forming ending -líce, appended to nouns or adjs., continued in ME. as midl. and south. -lich(e, north. -lik(e, the latter surviving in Sc. into the 16th c. Alongside these there arose f. the 13th c., appar. orig. in the north and midlands, and prob. by influence of Scand. -lig-r, -liga, the ending -ly which by the 15–16th c. had superseded the other forms. Thus 14th–mid 16th c. Sc. has as a variant of the common -ly ending of adjs. or advs., an ending -lik(e, -lyk(e, in such adjs. or advs. as barnelike, behovelike, bodilik beside bodily, clerklyk beside clerkly, costlyk, dedelyk, fleschlyk, godlike, helplike, hevinlyk, kindlik, kinglyk(e, lawlyk, manlyke, manerlik, midlike; and evinlik(e, gudlyk (implied in Gud(e)lykly adv.), and quietlik.From early in the 15th c. the present adj. and adv. like began also to be suffixed to nouns and adjs., in senses A 1 (2) and 3 B 1 and 3, above (i.e. by inversion of the word-order: like followed by a dative regimen), to form compound adjs. and advs. as exemplified below. As these are similar in spelling (though not in pronunc., since in these compounds -like no doubt took full stress) to the older formations in -lik f. OE. -líc(e, and could be formed on the same first elements, often with quite similar sense, and as the two formations are for a time chronologically coincident, it is often uncertain which formation particular instances represent: see, e.g., Bestelike, Chiftanlyk, Colourlyke, Cummerlik, Devillyk, FallowLike, Ladlike. Some entries no doubt include instances of both formations under one heading, as Frendlike, Kirklike, Knichtlik, Lordlike, Werelike, and prob. some of the words listed in the previous paragraph. Nevertheless the two formations — the older in -lik f. OE. líc(e, and the newer in -like forming adj. and adv. compounds — are distinct, one distinguishing feature being the frequent writing of the latter as two words and the former as one. The newer type of compound in -like continued to be formed freely in the 16–17th c. and after, that on adjs. (2 below) being rather characteristic of Sc.

1. Suffixed to nouns. a. Forming adjs. with the sense ‘resembling in appearance or characteristics’, ‘befitting, fit for’ (the prefixed noun).Some further examples are Angellike, Bludelyk, Faderlyk, heremyte lyk Heremyt(e n., Ill-like, and jakfallow lyk Jak n.¹ 3 a. 1490 Liber Melros 600.
Of the quhilk viij chalder fve salbe of gud sufficient qwheit & thre of meill gud & markat lyk 1567 G. Ball. 10.
We trow in Jesus Christ, his sone, God lyke in gloir, our Lord allone a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 109 (L).
Cupid … So myldlyke and childlyke, With bow threis quarteris skant a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 85.
[The judgment] presupponeth this trial … than which nothing doth look more judicature-like 1671 Moray Synod 151.
That horrid and Cain lyke sin of fratricide

b. Forming adverbs: In the manner of, after the fashion of (the prefixed noun).Further examples are Angellike adv., Curlyk, Faderlyk adv., Forestlike, Gormondlyke, harrold lyk Harrald n., Loun-like. 1529 Rec. Earld. Orkney 59.
The said James Sinclar, kingis-like, as he war ane king in thai partis and like as thar war no law 1600-1610 Melvill 64.
The twa men war verie read and tead-lyke faced, for ploukes and lumpes 1632 Fugitive Poetry II. viii. 5/127.
Thus now as bairne-like having plaid with feare, My new set lesson I will now reteare

2. Suffixed to adjs. Forming adjs. (also advs. or quasi-advs.): Having the appearance or giving the impression of being, seeming to be (as specified by the prefixed adj.); -looking or -seeming.Suffixed freely to any descriptive adjective. Very common in the 17th c.Also Best-ly(i)k, Blithlike, Bravelike, braw lyk Braw adj., christane lyk Christian(e adj., Clerelyke, feckless-like Fectles adj., Floop-like, graif-lyke Grave adj. 2, Gudelyke, honest lyk Honest adj. 5, Hurlie-lyk, Ill-like, Kind-like adv., larbair lyke Larbar adj., lyflie lyk Lif(e)ly adj. 4 a. mild-, semely-, sempill-, sonsy-, sour-, uncouth-, ȝong-like.Also in Siclike (swilk-like, such-like), of such a kind, similar; and analysed in sic ane lyke, sic a like, see Sic adj. Also what-like.(1) c1475 Wall. vi. 694.
[He] saw at thai war sotheron leik [: Berweike] Ib. x. 210.
The warld is contrar lik [: kynryk] 1566-70 Buch. Comm. Virgil Æn. vi. 865.
How guid lyke he is, how guid appeirance hes he to be a gryt man 1576 Crim. Trials I. ii. 53.
Seis thow nocht me, baith meit-worth, claith-worth, and gude aneuch lyke in persoun? 1600-1610 Melvill 63.
Mr Piter comes in to his chalmer in the morning, heavie and grim-lyk a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 1560.
To covet the thing that Will not be, maks folk old lyke 1635 Dickson Wr. 29.
The most tempted and accursed-like soul cannot deny but it is God's creature 1638 Henderson Serm. 200.
Sandy deserts that are brunt up for want of rain, & looks mournful-like till they get it 1643 Robertson Cullen Church Ann. 84.
Bi reasone of the fatuous lyk countenance and gesture of either of them 1650 Culross 240.
The elders declared that ther caryage wes Chriastine-lyke [sic in pr.], and that they all … had familie exercise a1658 Durham Comm. Rev. 219.
These things that look more spiritual-like 1663–9 Livingstone in Sel. Biog. I. 181.
This was suspicious like to some of us Ib. 340.
You look over fine like with your bulkie ruff 1669 Jus Populi 402.
When the disease is desparate, a desperat-like and extraordinary remedy may be used 1670 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 264.
In cureing the gravill … and also despirat lyke hydropsies 1670 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds I. 229.
And it being probable lyke that the said William McBratnie my spous sall survive me a1681 J. Welsh Churches Paradox 5.
The Kirk may be sometimes in a case that can neither be dark nor clear … but, as it were, somewhat in her case that looks dark like and somewhat in her case that looks bright and lightsome like again 1689 Cramond Kirk S. III. 6 Dec.
Waveing all other things that might have been laid to his chairg not ministeriall like 1690 A. Shields Grievances and Sufferings 55.
It were more profitable and promising-like, that [etc.](2) 1636 Rutherford Lett. (1891) 148.
He looked fremed and unco-like upon me when I came first here ?1661-5 M. Bruce Soul-Confirm. 6 (J).
When we go about duty, we go about it so hanged-like 1681 Cloud of Witnesses 85.
I haue looked greedy-like to such a lot as this

b. With analysis of the compound in as abill a lyke man for as abill-lyke a man. a1605 Birrel Diary 42.
The said Adam being bot … of a mein stature, slew the said James … he being as abill a lyke man as wes living

3. Suffixed to a non-finite verb: ‘Likely to’. (Cf. A 4 above). 1678 Wodrow Hist. IV. 502.
Things look very break-like; we look like the voful day

4. Suffixed to an adv. in Sa-like adv.