[f. LIKELY a. + -NESS.]
† 1. Resemblance, similarity; a semblance, similitude; = LIKELIHOOD 1. Obs.
1375. Barbour, Bruce, III. 88. But at the last thar slayne he wes: In that failȝeit the liklynes.
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxxviii. (Adrian), 608. Þe feynd in-[to] þe lyklynes … of a marynare one þe sey to þame can apere.
1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, I. iii. Jupiter … Takyng lykelynesse of Amphitrion.
1571. Golding, Calvin on Ps. xlix. 14. They chaunge the letter (Beth) into (Caph) the mark of likelynesse.
1596. Spenser, F. Q., V. vii. 29. She knew not his favours likelynesse, For many scarres and many hoary heares.
1600. Hamilton, Facile Traictise, in Cath. Tractates (1901), 242. The halie spirit discendit vpon Christ in lyklines of ane whyt dow.
1604. T. Wright, Passions, III. iv. 97. The similitude of inclinations, And likelinesse of passions.
1680. H. Dodwell, Two Lett. (1691), 117. Books conjectured by Erasmus to be his from the likeliness of their Style.
1702. C. Mather, Magn. Chr., III. II. xix. (1852), 442. There is frequently … much likeliness between a Plinyism and a fable.
2. Probability; = LIKELIHOOD 2. Now rare. † Also in phrases by, of likeliness (cf. LIKELIHOOD 2 b). † Also, probable amount = LIKELIHOOD 2 c.
c. 1370[?]. Chaucer, Amorous Compleint, 15. Sooth is, that wel I woot, by lyklinesse. If that [etc.].
c. 1375. Sc. Leg. Saints, xxvii. (Machor), 997. God is mychty to helpe; dred nocht; quhar man na liklines ma se.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 7544. For thing that may have no preving, But lyklinesse, and contriving.
1436. Rolls of Parlt., IV. 511/1. By the whiche alienes … by liklynesse, the Counseall … of oure saide Souverayn Lord … is discovered.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 32. Seyng no lyklynesse to ben amendyd Of his host he took his leve that nyht.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, V. 620. ‘Maister,’ he said, ‘as fer as I haiff feyll, Off lyklynes it may be wondyr weill.’ Ibid., IX. 1010. Be lyklynes Wallace suld wyn the land.
1475. Bk. Noblesse, 55. As by possibilite and alle liklinesse may be honourable and truly vanquisshid and wonne bye armes.
1530. Palsgr., 239/2. Likelynesse of a thyng that maye happen, possibilité.
1632. Sherwood, Likelihood, likelinesse,… probabilité.
† 3. An indication, sign; = LIKELIHOOD 3. Obs.
c. 1450. Lydg. & Burgh, Secrees, 2671. Shuldrys sharpe … Off evyl feith is lyklynesse.
4. = LIKELIHOOD 4. ? Obs.
c. 1470. Harding, Chron. CLXXXII. iii. There was no king Christen had such sonnes fiue Of lyklynesse.
1530. Palsgr., 239/2. Likelynesse or towardness, indole.
1735. Dyche & Pardon, Dict., Likeliness, Handsomness or Worthiness.
