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likeness

[lahyk-nis]
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noun
  1. a representation, picture, or image, especially a portrait: to draw a good likeness of Churchill.
  2. the state or fact of being like: I can't get over your likeness to my friend.
  3. the semblance or appearance of something; guise: to assume the likeness of a swan.
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Origin of likeness

before 950; Middle English liknesse, Old English līcnes, variant of gelīcnes. See alike, -ness

Synonyms

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2. resemblance, similitude. 3. shape, form.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for likeness

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • There was the name and the likeness of a man far more familiar to many of them.

  • There seems to be some likeness in the positions of Paul and myself.

    Biography of a Slave

    Charles Thompson

  • Addison has been less studied; and his likeness has consequently been less questioned.

  • The dissimilarity of the plays only accentuates the likeness of the two protagonists.

  • This is not altogether the fact, though I for one see no shame in acknowledging the likeness.

British Dictionary definitions for likeness

likeness

noun
  1. the condition of being alike; similarity
  2. a painted, carved, moulded, or graphic image of a person or thing
  3. an imitative appearance; semblance
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Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for likeness

n.

Old English (Northumbrian) licnes "likeness, similarity; figure, statue, image," shortened from gelicness; see like (adj.) + -ness.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper