likeness

Pronunciation: /ˈlaɪknəs/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun similarity in appearance or character or nature between persons or things
  2. noun picture consisting of a graphic image of a person or thing

Etymology

From Middle English liknesse, from Old English līcness, ġelīcnes (“the quality of being like or equal; likeness; image; copy; pattern; example; parable”), from Proto-West Germanic *galīkanassī (“likeness”), equivalent to like + -ness. Cognate with West Frisian likenis (“likeness”), Dutch gelijkenis (“similarity; likeness; parable”), German Low German Glieknis (“form; semblance; likeness; parable”), German Gleichnis (“form; semblance; image; likeness; parable; simile”). The verb is derived from the noun. Compare also Old Norse líkneskja (“figure, image, appearance, likeness”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

alikeness, similitude

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
similarity
Narrower (hyponyms)
mirror image, comparison, spitting image, naturalness, resemblance
Opposite (antonyms)
unlikeness

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