Like

LIKE, adj., adv., conj., sb.1 and v.1 Var. dial. uses in Sc. Irel. Eng. and Amer. Also in forms laek Sh.I.; lahk w.Yks.; lake n.Ir. Don.; lauk w.Yks.3; lek Sh.&Ork.1 I.Ma.; leke n.Ir.; leyke Cum.1 Cum.4 n.Yks.4 ne.Yks.1; lie e.An.1; lick w.Yks.1 Dev.; lig w.Som.1; lik n.Yks.2 Dev.3; loike w.Yks. s.Chs.1 [laik, leik, loik, lik.]

1. adj. In phr. (1) any bit like, tolerable, of a fair quality or price; (2) as like, of course, indeed, I should think so; (3) as like as like can be, in all likelihood; (4) like a fly in a glue-pot, in a state of nervous excitement; (5) like a new un, with the freshness and vigour of youth; (6) like a sow and nine pigs in a rut, very dirty; (7) like all that, excessively, more than enough; (8) like anything again, vigorously, with great force or energy, excessively; (9) like as, (a) as if, just as though; (b) as also; (c) as like as; (10) like as if or like agif, (11) like as off, see (9, a); (12) like as this, like this, in this way; (13) like as we lie, a golfing term: similar, equal, even; (14) like case, also in the same manner as; (15) like desperation, like one in despair; (16) like good uns, quickly, urgently, energetically; see Good one, s.v. Good; (17) like hurro(w, easily, joyfully; (18) like i-go-mad, like mad, violently, with intensity; (19) like nothing (again, (20) like nought, nothing at all; a mere trifle; not at all; (21) like o', like, such as; (22) like on, in agreement with, suited to; (23) like oneself, (a) in one's usual state of health; sane, sober; gen. used neg.; (b) unchanged; acting up to one's general character; of a corpse: having the features unchanged by death; (24) like rattle, see (16); (25) like that, very quickly or urgently; (26) like the old cow's tail, all behind, behindhand with one's work; (27) like to, like, in comparison with; (28) like wink, (29) like winkin, with the utmost ease or speed; (30) more like, more to the purpose, more becoming; (31) not a bit like it, not nearly, not at all; (32) owt like, see (1); (33) so like as, as like as; (34) some bit like, something like, excellently well. (1) w.Yks. Ah'll buy a stone o' potaits if they be onny bit like. Ah'll buy t'horse if t'price thah asses be onny bit like (Æ.B.). w.Yks.1 An e be onny bit like I'll come. (2) w.Yks. As loike aw did! Sheffield Indep. (1847). (3) n.Yks.2 It will happen as like as like can be. (4) w.Som.1 There nif he wad'n urneen up and down, and fizzin about lig a vly in a glue-pot. (5) e.Yks.1 To go it like a new un. (6) e.Suf. (F.H.) (7) Abd. It rained yesterday like a' that. Do you believe that story? ─ I do, like a' that (G.W.). n.Cy. (J.W.) n.Yks.4 Sha war iv a tantrum, an' flang hersel aboot leyke all that. He went at it leyke all that. ne.Yks.1 T'bairn roored leyke all that. w.Yks. (J.W.) (8) Lei.1 (9, a) Frf. And ties us all thegither, like as it were wi' twine, Barrie Tommy (1896) 101. Per. [She] up wi' her neepkin, like's a' the minister was sayin' was for her, Cleland Inchbracken (1883) 63, ed. 1887. (b) Lnk. We crave liberty to except and protest: Like as, by these presents, we do, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Wodrow Ch. Hist. (1721) I. 128, ed. 1828. (c) Ayr. Though like as was ever twin brother to brother, Burns Sketch,
2. 37. m.Yks.1 They were like as two twins. (10) Nhb. Richardson Borderer's Table-bk. (1846) VI. 256. n.Yks.2 e.Yks.1 He weent aboot job like as if he didn't care aboot it. Ah mind it like-as-agif it was nobbut yistherday. w.Yks. Tha talks like as if aw'd summat to do wi it, Snowden Web of Weave (1896) v. Glo. It sims like as if we be most a-gwine fur to have another sich passel for 'ee to teäke tithe o', Buckman Darke's Sojourn (1890) ii. s.Oxf. 'Taint like as if 'twas 'eavy clay land now, Rosemary Chilterns (1895) 39. (11) w.Som.1 The trees was all a turned so brown, like as off [luy·k-s-au·f] they'd a bin a burned. (12) w.Som.1 You see, sir, 'tis like as this here (s.v. As). (13) Sc. Golfer's Hndbk. 34 (Jam. Suppl.). (14) n.Lin.1 Thaay chuckt th' watter tub oher, like caase thaay brok th' tap on it. (15) Ayr. I met them rinnin' for me like desperation to Shoosy Bingham, Service Notandums (1890) 21. (16) w.Yks. Sailing away loike good uns, Shevvild Ann. (1848) 13. (17) n.Yks. He wan t'race like hurrow (I.W.). (18) w.Yks. (J.W.) Chs.1 He's swearin like-i-go-mad. He's warkin this morning after his spree like-i-go-mad. (19) Lei.1 (20) n.Yks.1 It's like nowght, bairn. It's nobbut yah bite o' breead tiv a hungered man. w.Yks. (J.W.) (21) Edb. Ignorant bodies like-o-me, What wit we mair than what we see? Thomson Poems (1819) 71. (22) Lth. That's the brawest thing in a' your house. It's no like on a hoose at a'. It's far ower splendid, Strathesk Blinkbonny (ed. 1891) 187. (23, a) Per. Tom, lad, ye're no looking like yoursel' the night, Sandy Scott (1897) 64. Gall. The herd himself was so panic struck with the scene, that he was never like himsell again, Mactaggart Encycl. (1824) 8, ed. 1876; (A.W.) w.Yks. (J.W.) (b) Cai.1 Abd. They said it was ‘a bonnie corp,’ and that he was ‘richt like himsel',’ Alexander Ain Flk. (1882) 43. w.Yks.1 (24) n.Yks. He worked like rattle (I.W.). (25) n.Lin.1 It's raainin' like that. Thў muther's mad, she's callin' o' thě like that. (26) e.Suf. (F.H.) (27) m.Yks.1 There's nothing like to it. w.Yks. (J.W.) (28) Lei.1 (29) w.Yks. It slips ower t'paper like winkin, Yks. Wkly. Post (Dec. 7, 1895). (30) Nhb.1 It wad be mair like if ye went yorsel. w.Yks. (J.W.) (31) w.Som.1 He idn so good farmer's th' old man! No 'tino, nit a bit like it. (32) n.Yks. If it be owt like (I.W.). w.Yks. (J.W.) (33) w.Som.1 I can't tell one vrom t'other, they be so like 's two pays. (34) w.Yks.1 Eigh thous doon some bit like now.
3. Comb. Like-like, having a close resemblance; likely; also used advb.: so, in this manner. n.Yks.2 ‘It's varry liklike,’ the likeliest of the lot to suit the purpose. Chs.1 It is reduplicated, ‘like-like.’
4. Golfing term: similar, equal, even. Sc. In the game of golf, when both parties have played the same number of strokes they are said to be like, Golfer's Hndbk. 34 (Jam. Suppl.).
5. Likely, probable; also used advb. Sc. My Leddy Penfeather had fa'an ill, it's like, as nae other body had ever fell ill, Scott St. Ronan (1824) ii; James was like to be a more difficult affair, Stevenson Catriona (1893) iii. Sh.I. He juist merrit an' like soon to hae a family, Manson Almanac (1900) 125. Elg. We'll ken, very-like, in the coorse o' a week, Tester Poems (1865) 133. Abd. They're like to see deils ony gait er' lang, MacDonald Sir Gibbie (1879) iii. Per. Jean, it's like she thocht it wasna mo-odest, Cleland Inchbracken (1883) 264, ed.
6. Fif. Ye'll be gaun to watch in Kemback the nicht, verra like? Meldrum Margrédel (1894) 262. Ayr. There's like to be a straemash amang the Reformers, Galt Gilhaize (1823) v. Lth. Auld Hornie is maist like to be burned and blazed aff at the hinder end, Lumsden Sheep-head (1892) 206. Slk. He said he was not like to be quite well, Hogg Tales (1838) 291, ed. 1866. Gall. The poor beast is like to live and thrive, Crockett Standard Bearer (1898) 140. Nhb.1 It's like to rain. Cum. He's like to be a captain afooar lang, Gwordie Greenup Anudder Batch (1873) 3; Ah's nut like t'ga that geàt ageànn (E.W.P.); Cum.1 n.Yks.1 ‘It's like;’ an expression of strong or hearty assent. ‘It tires one sadly.’ ‘Aye, it's like. Mass! It's like’; n.Yks.2 Ay, ay, varry like, varry like. m.Yks.1, w.Yks.1 I.Ma. It's lek she couldn help it, Brown Witch (1889) 17; Are you lek to go to church next Sunday? (S.M.) Chs.3 The maister may like come after taggin. Der.2 n.Lin.1 Very like I maay, bud I'm not sewer. Shr.1 Most like, Introd. 81. Glo. There's like to be more, I 'xpects, Gissing Vill. Hampden (1890) I. vi. Nrf. Cozens-Hardy Broad Nrf. (1893) 88. Dor. Ye mit ha' been without 'em. Ay, shepherd, 'tis very like you would, Longman's Mag. (Nov. 1898) 46. w.Som.1 Anybody would ha zaid her was likest vor to be married of all o'm. Dev. Tes more like as he'll gie thee a clout over ear for biden up zo late, Longman's Mag. (Dec. 1896) 153; See what next daylight's like to shaw me, Pall Mall Mag. (Feb. 1900) 158. Cor. Make me out a list of all it would be like to cost, Cahill Wheal Certainty (1890) 77. Hence phr. (1) as like as not, (2) like as owt, (3) like enough, very probably, in all likelihood; (4) like for, likely to be; likely, probable; (5) nor like, (6) than like, than seemed likely, than circumstances warranted; (7) to be like to, (a) to be on the point of, to be ready to; to nearly (do anything), to be in danger of; (b) to be sure to, to be expected to; to purpose; (c) to be obliged to, to be bound to; (8) to have like to, see (7, a). (1) Sc. As like as not she would turn against you when she saw you, Keith Lisbeth (1894) xxix. Nhb.1 He wis as like as not. w.Yks. It's Jim's doin', as like as nət (J.R.); Arthur Fryer 'll goa as like as nut (Æ.B.). (2) w.Yks. Emsley Poems (1893). (3) n.Yks. If you fish there you'll like enough be drowned (R.H.H.); n.Yks.2; n.Yks.4 Leyke eneeaf Ah's be theear. e.Yks.1 w.Yks. Like enough I had spoken timidly, Snowden Web of Weave (1896) 14. Lan. Marry kem eawt like enough, why not? Tim Bobbin View Dial. (1740) 38. Som. Like enough he wouldn't carry 'em this time o' year, Raymond Tryphena (1895) 54. (4) Lan. Then it being late and like for an ill night, Walkden Diary (ed. 1866) 101; Seeing her like for calving before morning, Walkden Diary 61. (5) w.Yks. Ther's nowt for it but to mak' th' best on it, an' varry oft it turns aht better nor like, Hartley Clock Alm. (1889) 60; Leeds Merc. Suppl. (Sept. 26, 1891); Striving to make it look no worse nor like, Snowden Web of Weave (1896) 210; w.Yks.1 Better ner like. ne.Lan.1 Better nor like. (6) Yks. He turned out better than like, and made a good speech (F.P.T.). w.Yks. It was either £16 or £18. And he talked as if that were less than like, Snowden Web of Weave (1896) viii. (7, a) Abd. Fan I buried my last wife I was like to be smored wi' sna', Paul Abd. (1881) 56. Dmb. Mair, gudeman, than we are like to bear, Salmon Gowodean (1868) 30. Ayr. As whiles they're like to be my dead, Burns To W. Simpson (1785) st. 5. Lnk. Your kyte's like to crack wi' your Munonday's yill, Rodger Poems (1838) III, ed. 1897. Dmf. Noo wi' joy I'm like to flee, Quinn Heather (1863) 224. N.I.1 He was like to ate the head off me. e.Dur.1 Like to fall. Cum. He was like to laugh (E.W.P.); Cum.1 It's like to fo; Cum.3 T'oald maizlin was like to toytle of his steul wid laughin', 4. Wm. If thae wer nobbet coed theear [et kirk] heed be like ta hev her, Spec. Dial. (1880) pt. ii. 20. n.Yks.2 I was like to be anger'd. e.Yks.1 He's like to die. w.Yks. They thought they wor lahk ta be all drahnded (J.T.F.). ne.Lan.1 Like to have been killed. Som. I was like to tumble (J.S.F.S.). w.Som.1 Her bin ter'ble bad, her was like to die vor up dree wiks. (b) w.Sc. & s.Sc. Weel, just say I'm like to gang the morn (Jam. Suppl.). s.Dur. A person will say if desirous to give a child a holiday or treat, ‘What, he's like ta gan,’ or ‘He's like to hev an apple’ (J.E.D.). Cum.1 He'll be like to come. n.Yks. He was like to come (I.W.); n.Yks.1 Ah aims he's like te coom about Kes'mas. m.Yks.1 I shall be like to go. ne.Lan.1 I's like to du it. (c) w.Sc. & s.Sc. If ye do that ye're like to pay for it (Jam. Suppl.). n.Cy. I'm like to go (W.T.); N.Cy.1 She's like to do it. Nhb.1 ‘Will yor Bella gan the morn?’ ‘Aye, she's like, noo, aa wad think’ [she ought certainly]. Dur.1 s.Dur. He's like to be bad efter eaten' all them berries (J.E.D.). Cum. Thou's like ta gang, Dickinson Joe and Geol. (1866). n.Yks. He's like to come (I.W.); n.Yks.4 Ah's be leyke ti show up at kess'nen. ne.Yks.1 He's leyke ti knaw. Thoo's leyke ti cum. e.Yks.1 It's like tĭ be seeah. m.Yks.1 I am like for to go. w.Yks. I'm like ta try what Ah can do, bud Ah've no hopes a' doing nowt (M.F.); w.Yks.1 Thou's like to doo't; w.Yks.2 w.Yks.3 w.Yks.5 Lan. I's belike to do it (S.W.); Aw were like to do as hoo wanted, Clegg Sketches (1895) 390. e.Lan.1 If you go, I shall be like to go also. Chs.1 Chs.2 Chs.3 s.Chs.1 Ahy)shl bi lahyk sey)th mes·tŭr ŭfoa·r ahy)kn tel yi wot job goa· tóo. Der.2, nw.Der.1 Not. He's like to put up with it (L.C.M.). n.Lin.1 I've getten a summons fra' th' magistraates, soä I shall be like to goä whether I will or noä. sw.Lin.1 They mut be like to do as well as they can. (8) n.Yks. He'd like to have deean 't (I.W.). w.Yks. Tha'd like to a fallen (S.K.C.). Lan. Aw'd like to forgetten hur, Waugh Birthplace Tim Bobbin (1858) v. Chs.1 Aw'd loike to have fawn; Chs.3 I'd like to have killed him. s.Chs.1 Ahy)d lahyk tŭ ŭ ky'echt mi jeth oa·r it [ I'd like to ha' ketcht my jeth o'er it]. Lei.1 Ah'd loike to ha' hot him o' the maouth. War. The hound ‘had like to have been drafted,’ Mordaunt & Verney War. Hunt (1896) I. 20; War.4 s.War.1 I'd like to have fallen as I come along. Hrf. ‘Well,’ says he, ‘why didstna thou come afore thou'st like to ha' bin too late,’ Flk-Lore Jrn. (1886) IV. 166. e.An.1 He had lic to have broken his head.
7. Comb. Like aim, a shrewd guess; a likely notion. m.Lan.1 Hesta ony like-aim? Chs.1 ‘Do you know who did this?’ ‘Now, bur au've a loike aim.’
8. adv. Used as a suffix after adj. to modify the force of the adj. or to form an adv. Sc. The sound cheered me, and made me feel so independent like, Dickson Auld Precentor (1894) 51. Sh.I. If du wis only half as weel-laek, du wid be prood dysell, Burgess Tang (1898) 17. Bnff.1 Abd. Braw-like (W.M.). Frf. I'm richt angry at myself for being so ungrateful like, Barrie Minister (1891) xii. Lnk. I cried him into the kitchen, and somehoohe lookit awfu' baggy-like, Fraser Whaups (1895) xiii. Edb. They were two awful-like ragamuffins, Moir Mansie Wauch (1828) xx. Ir. Cock them up with a bansee, moyah, partly like, Flk-Lore Rec. (1881) IV. 121. N.I.1 I'm all tremblin' like. He seems careless like. Cum.1 Good-like, ill-like, happy-like, &c.; Cum.4 An idea of caution or reserve always accompanies the use of this word which is gen. followed by ‘but.’ ‘A real nice-like bairn but looks delicate.’ Wm. Thy cheeks is goodlike wi' rā's o' jeewals, Richardson Sng. Sol. (1859) i. 10. n.Yks.2 ‘Caud an caud-like,’ cold and likely to be so. Damp-like, shabby-like. e.Yks.1, w.Yks. (J.W.) ne.Lan.1 He was onnish-like in drink. Chs.3 He's a clever-like man. Der. A good like horse, Grose (1790) MS. add. (P.); Der.1 Middling like; Der.2 Not. His leg's all swoln-like (L.C.M.). s.Not. She was a bit soft-like (J.P.K.). Lin. It was lively-like. n.Lin.1 Alive-like. Nhp.1 She's very stingy like; Nhp.2 War.2 It's very comfortable, like, in the firelight; War.4 s.War.1 It's very pleasant-like here. w.Wor. He oodna show, so I hammered noisy-like, and then he sung out, Berrow's Jrn. (Mar. 10, 1888). Shr.2 Her's been very ill like. Hrf.2 Mopy like; downhearted like. Glo. Here's the place but jest a-bin med tidy-like and a bit cleän, Buckman Darke's Sojourn (1890) ii; Glo.1 Glo.2 s.Oxf. That's where I put un so as it shouldn't get wet like, Rosemary Chilterns (1895) 107. Brks.1 Plaze, zur, I wants to maayke my house a bit smarter like if e'll gie I zome white-wash an' brushes to do 't wi'. Bdf. I feel comical like (J.W.B.). Hnt. (T.P.F.) Lon. He became paralyzed like, Mayhew Lond. Labour (1851) II. 144, col. 2, ed. 1861. e.An.1 She fare to be angry like. e.Suf. He begins to be ill like (F.H.). Ken. He seemed sort of funny, like (D.W.L.); Ken.1 It's too clammy-like. Sur. Says he, ‘Pray sir, how many bushels of wheat will this farm grow to the acre?’ pompous-like, Hoskyns Talpa (1852) 136, ed. 1857; Sur.1 Comfortable-like. Sus.1 She seems so melancholy-like. Hmp. He seems meak like (H.C.M.B.). Dor. He is all mwopèn like, Barnes Gl. (1863). Som. The place was a bit dampish-like upon times, Raymond Sam and Sabina (1894) 166. w.Som.1 Take'n hat'n hard-like, tidn no good to fiddle way un. Come in; I count you be hungry-like. Dev. I dursn't go over Farmer Ward's hill when it's getting dark like, O'Neill Idyls (1892) 19. w.Cor. She spoke all snappy-like (M.A.C.).
9. Used redundantly or to modify a statement: as it were, so to speak. Sc. The lady... gae twelve siller pennies to ilka puir body about, in honour of the twelve apostles like, Scott Guy M. (1815) vi. Cai.1, Inv. (H.E.F.) Per. Hame she comes e'y coach, a' happit up, an' hidin' like an' greetin' sair, Cleland Inchbracken (1883) 112, ed. 1887. e.Lth. Ye canna expec' to be coonted ane o' oorsels like, Hunter J. Inwick (1895) 174. Ir. A couple of chaps in uniform like came axin' me me business, Barlow Lisconnel (1895)
10. Wm. Eh fain wa'd I thoo was my brūdd'r, like, Richardson Sng. Sol. (1859) viii. 1. m.Yks.1 He would not go like through that. They are like against one another, as it is. It was there, like. w.Yks. Ah like guess thah'rt makkin' thi brass, nah (Æ.B.); w.Yks.1 Good-like; w.Yks.2 The question ‘Where nah, like?’ [Where are you going to now?] is often heard about Sheffield; w.Yks.4 He is a good sort of a man like. Lan. Theaw'rt an owd chum, like, Brierley Irkdale (1865) 138, ed. 1868; Tha's like jobs enoo agate, Clegg Sketches (1895) 39; Lan.1 I'm all of a dither, like. ne.Lan.1 He's a good sort of a man like. e.Lan.1 He went as if he never intended to come back, like. I.Ma. Navar bein' used of the laak, lek, at home, Rydings Tales (1895) 122. Chs.1 He gen him a shove, like, an sent him clean o'er th' hedge. Der. I thought you'd be a handy chap wi' t'pen like, Wkly. Telegraph (Dec. 22, 1894) 12, col. 1. nw.Der.1 He is a good sort of man like. Not. I've got a young man, and that makes other worrits seem noat, like, Prior Renie (1895) 223; Not.1 n.Lin. Off Nick goes into a study like, Peacock R. Skirlaugh (1870) I. 38. Lei.1 Nhp.1 The horse has got a sort of a cold like. War. B'ham Wkly. Post (June 17 (1893); War.1 Shr.1 'Er couldna walk like, Introd. 81. Hrf.1 Her goes about and eats her victuals like. s.Oxf. A glass afore 'ee goes 'ome won't 'urt 'im ─ just 'earten 'im up like, Rosemary Chilterns (1895) 36. w.Mid. It was so dry that the crops were all burnt up, like (W.P.M.). e.An.1 She was in a passion like. She scolded me like. Ken. I couldn't understand him, like (D.W.L.). Sur. The farmers' work was over like for the year, Hoskyns Talpa (1852) 90, ed. 1857. Wil. Well, sir, I do think they be truer bred to sit like, Egerton Flk. and Ways (1884) 86. Som. And hear-tell how all the folk be agetten on like, Raymond Tryphena (1895) 35. w.Som.1 ‘I reckon 't'll rain like,’ implies a doubt. Often entirely redundant. ‘They was to work in their garden like.’ It is very common in speaking of health symptoms to tack on ‘like’ to the end of the sentence. ‘How d'ee sim you be 'smornin like?’ Dev. Dook and Squire looked about a bit like, Burnett Stable Boy (1888) viii; There es a power o' deffurnce like betwin mun, Daniel Bride of Scio (1842) 177.
11. Much, greatly. e.Suf. He jawed me like (F.H.).
12. About, approximately. Sc. Like sax fouk. Like three ouks (Jam.). n.Cy. ‘Hoo er ye?’ ‘Like middlin.’ ‘What'n a crop o' taties hev ye ta year?’ ‘Like moderate’ (B.K.). w.Yks. Very common (J.W.).
13. conj. As, just as. n.Sc. She... thraws the neck o' ithers, like an auld wife wud the crap o' a barndoor chick, Gordon Carglen (1891) 157. n.Cy., Yks. (J.W.) Ken. It's age turns the roses blue, like it turns folks' hair white, Longman's Mag. (July 1891) 267. Dev. If they'm honest eyes, like Enoch's was, Red Rose in Pall Mall Mag. (Apr. 1900) 436.
14. As if. e.Lth. Greetin like to break her heart, Hunter J. Inwick (1895)
15. n.Cy., Yks. (J.W.) Lan. Seemt like he thowt it ower a bit afore he answered, Burnett Haworth's (1887) i. I.Ma. He looked lek he didn't want to speak to me (S.M.); Lek didn want the Pazon to know her, Brown Witch (1889) 2. Not. 'E made a noise like 'e were sorry or summat, Prior Renie (1895) 191.
16. sb. In phr. (1) at every like, on every occasion; (2) by all like, in all likelihood, probably; (3) every like, every now and then; (4) lick-a-to-lick or likatee-lik, (5) like to like, all alike; all of one mind; (6) what like, of what sort. (1) w.Yks.1 Nut seea keen, at ivry like, o' luggin into th' country a parcel of outlandish words, Pref. (2) w.Som.1 By all like we be going to have a hard winter. (3) n.Cy. Grose (1790) MS. add. (P.) e.Yks.1 w.Yks. Tom hes a bad bout at drinkin' ivvry like, Leeds Merc. Suppl. (Dec. 13, 1890). (4) n.Dev. I zed 'twas lick-a-to-lick, Rock Jim an' Nell (1867) st. 75. Dev.3 I bant agwaine tü 'a' nort tü zay tü 'm. They be awl lik'atee-lik'. (5) n.Yks.2, w.Yks.1 (6) Sc. We shall see what like they are when they arrive, Scott St. Ronan (1824) xxxi; What like a chield is he? Swan Aldersyde (ed. 1892) 27. Edb. What like is it? (A.B.C.) Dmf. What like may your lassie be? Cromek Remains (1810) 37. N.I.1 What like is he? Yks. (J.W.) Not. What like is he? (L.C.M.)
17. A match, equal, peer; occas. in pl. Sc. (Jam.) Sh.&Ork.1 I never saw da lek. Abd. Her like for beauty, I cud lay, Ye scarce cud see in a lang simmer's day, Shirrefs Poems (1790) 118. Kcd. When I was a laddie his like i' the Howe There wasna ae tailyour in Birse, Grant Lays (1884)
18. Per. Man or boy, you will hardly find his like between here and Edinburgh, Cleland Inchbracken (1883) 111, ed. 1887. Ayr. If sons and daughters they ha'e big, They aft will wi' their like foregather, Thom Amusements (1812) 37. n.Ir. I must hev a wake that its lekes wusn't known In these parts for ages, Lays and Leg. (1884) 45; His lake wasn't known Throughout all Innishowen, Lays and Leg.
19. n.Cy., Yks. (J.W.) Hence phr. (1) likes o', (2) likes on, (3) the likes by, the equal of, the match to; anything similar to; such as; (4) the like is in, there are such people or things, such people exist; (5) the like(s of, see (3); (6) the like o' your account, on account of such as you; (7) the like on, see (3). (1) Per. Likes o' him's no seen, man, Ford Harp (1893) 154. e.Yks.1 Noo! did yă ivver see likes o' that? w.Yks. (J.W.) (2) e.Yks.1 Ah nivver seed likes-on't. w.Yks. (J.W.) (3) m.Yks.1 I never saw the likes by him. (4) I.Ma. The sweet ould man, if you'd only knew him. But the lek is in, Brown Doctor (1887) 15. (5) Sc. In matching ribbon, cloth, &c., one shows the pattern and asks, ‘Ha'e ye the like o' that?’ (Jam.); Wha in a' the earthly warld... wad ever meddle wi' the likes o' thee, Chambers Pop. Rhymes (1870) 75. Sh.I. Your subject is maybe just a kennan ower learned for da likes o' me, Stewart Tales (1892) 57. n.Sc. She's guid eneuch for the likes of us, Gordon Carglen (1891) 127. Abd. Fat eese hed the like o' her mairryin' already, Alexander Ain Flk. (1882) 18. Frf. If you saw how the like of me lives, Barrie Tommy (1896) 37. Per. Shanks' naig diz fine for the like o' me, Cleland Inchbracken (1883) 12, ed. 1887. Fif. It's a lump o' siller for the like o' me, Heddle Marget (1899) 75. s.Sc. It's no for the likes o' me to presoom to haud an opeenion, Snaith Fierceheart (1897) 40. Ayr. The likes of them people look well after their neighbours' affairs, Hunter Studies (1870) 77. Lnk. The likes o' you an' me maun staun, Watson Poems (1853) 102. Ir. It isn't for the likes av me to contradict a gintleman like your honour, Spectator (Nov. 30, 1887). n.Ir. If you an' the likes o' you wud stae at hame, Lyttle Ballycuddy (1892) 40. Don. Hear tell of the lakes of such happenin, Century Mag. (1899) 45. w.Ir. Dhrinkin' punch, and dancin', and the like o' that, Lover Leg. (1848) I. 219. Lns. Only to think of the lady dancing with the likes of Dinny! Croker Leg. (1862) 246. n.Cy., Yks. (J.W.) I.Ma. Took home, and put to bed at ‘the lek of yandher,’ Brown Doctor (1887) 20. Midl. A fit mate for the likes o' you, Bartram People of Clopton (1897) 167.? Der. My manners is good enough for the likes of you, Cushing Voe (1888) I. i. s.Wor. The groun' wuz trod a getherin' the be-ans, an' then the likes o' these chickweed an' bear-bine roots owlds it together (H.K.). Brks.1 I wunt taayke no trouble vor the likes o' thaay. e.An.1 The likes of us. Cmb.1 I'll never be beholden to the likes of her for a washtub. Nrf. This beant the right plaace for the likes o' us, Spilling Giles (1872) 85. Sur.1 It's all very well for the likes of you, but the poor men can't afford it. Dor. Us'll never zee the likes o' she agen down to Combe, Hare Vill. Street (1895) 334. w.Som.1 So the poor old maister's a-go. Ah! you on't zee the likes o' he again, for a while. Dev. A mortal plat Vur witches an tha likes a that, Nathan Hogg Poet. Lett. (1847) 1st S. 53, ed. 1858; 'Tez the likes ov she tü holly za 'ard's 'er can, Hewett Peas. Sp. (1892) 53. (6) Sc. Ye canna expeck he can leave the company o' sic grand fowk on the like o' your account, Sc. Haggis, 126. (7) m.Yks.1 I never saw the like on it.
20. In golfing: the even stroke; see below. Sc. In golfing, the stroke which makes a player equal with his opponent is called ‘the like.’ If your opponent has played one stroke more than you, i.e. ‘the odd,’ your next stroke will be the like, Golfer's Hndbk. 35 (Jam. Suppl.).
21. pl. Similitudes. n.Yks.2
22. pl. Likelihood, probability, prospect. s.Wor. Outis Vig. Mon. in Berrow's Jrn. (1896). Glo.1 w.Som.1 There idn no likes eens her 'ont never be no better in this wordle. By all likes, maister's gwain to bring home another missus. Dev.1 A good likes of apples. Cor.1 Do 'ee think there's likes o' rain?
23. v. To imagine. e.Yks. ‘Like Ah's King o' Inglan, an thoo's Bonny-payt, and let's fight.’ Used only in the imperative. w.Yks. (J.W.) Lan. Sir Thomas himsel' was theer ─ I like as if I could see him now, poor owd gentleman, Castle Light of Scarthey (1895) 75.
24. To be nearly or almost, to be on the point of, to be likely; esp. in phr. to be liked to or have liked to. Cf. liken, v.1 2. Sc. I had liked to have been baffled again, Scott St. Ronan (1824) xxxvi; Terrible times that's likin' to visit our gude town again, Sc. Haggis, 39. Edb. ‘What do ye think came owre her then?’ said I to him, liking to be at my wits end, Moir Mansie Wauch (1828) xv. n.Ir. Poor Barney in sorra was lakin' to cry, Lays and Leg. (1884) 21. Yks. A'ad liked to fergetten ta mention, Eccles Sngs. (1862) 135. w.Yks. Like to make water, Hutton Tour to Caves (1781); w.Yks.2 He'd liked to ha' brokken his neck. Lan. Aw wur lik'd, or else dee, Cy. Words (1867) No. 17, 264; Lan.1 Get out o' th' way, aw'd liked to knock'd thi deawn. e.Lan.1 We had liked to run over the dog. s.Stf. I like to ha' bin cot in the rain, Pinnock Blk. Cy. Ann. (1895). Nhp.1 I'd liked to a said so. War.3 I'd liked to have fell into the busk. Hnt. (T.P.F.) w.Som.1 Mae·ukeen uv ù nùe· sùl·ur vur t-oa·l dhu suy·dur, kuuz túz luy·keen tu bee su plai·ntee dee yuur [Making of a new cellar for to hold the cider, because it is liking to be so plenty this year]. Likin' for a storm, I reckon, maister. [Amer. I like to died laughing, Dial. Notes (1896) I. 236.]
25. To be obliged, compelled; gen. in pass.; also with mun. e.Yks.1 Thoo mun like tĭ gan; it'll leeak queer if thoo stops away. Lan. Mun aw run back in ax him? Theawll be liked, he onswert, Staton Loominary (c. 1861) 4; Lan.1 ‘Tha'rt never gooin to make that journey to-neet, surely.’ ‘Yea, aw am: aw'm liked.’ Aw couldn't help it: aw felt as if aw wur liked to do it.

LIKE, v.2 and sb.2 Var. dial. uses in Sc. and Eng. Also in forms lauk, lauken w.Yks.3; lek Sh.I. [laik.] 1. v. Used impers.: to please; to be agreeable to. Sc. Ay, well, till then, if it likes you, Lang Monk of Fife (1876) 57. Sh.I. Du lauchs at da ting at leks dee weel, Junda Klingrahool (1898) 9. Abd. An' like your honour, ye'll gang back wi' me, Shirrefs Poems (1790) 62. Fif. A bonnie auld thing this, indeed, an't like your honour, Haliburton Furth (1894). Ayr. But he may wix it awa as it likes him to do, Galt Entail (1823) xviii. Gall. The doing of it liked me even better, Crockett Grey Man (1896) 65. N.Cy.1 m.Yks.1 If it likes them to do it, why let them do it. 2. Phr. (1) as you like, as you please, as you can imagine, the supreme degree of anything; (2) bad to like, unsatisfactory; (3) do what I like, do what I can or will; (4) gin ye like, if you please; (5) good to like, satisfactory; cf. good (6) to like of, (7) like on, to approve, to like; (8) like oneself, to be very comfortable and contented; to fare in one's position; (9) like upon, see (7); (10) like worst, to dislike most. (1) Kcd. We saw her passin' near Heugh-head As canty as ye like, Grant Lays (1884) 5. Per. There he is, as lame as ye like, Sandy Scott (1897) 14. Fif. Baith o' them, and as impident as you like, Heddle Marget (1899) 78. n.Cy., Yks. (J.W.) (2) n.Yks. (I.W.) n.Lin.1 A very little boy, who was thought by his parents too backward, was pronounced by the schoolmaster ‘none the worse to like for that.’ ‘Midlin' in her sen, bud bad to like when you nobbud knaw who she's cum'd off 'n.’ (3) Abd. I've tried mony a time, but I canna min' do what I like, MacDonald D. Elginbrod (1863) I. 82. (4) Rnf. Nae cauld parritch, gin ye like, For my guid Frien' the Penter, Picken Poems (1813) I. 151. (5) n.Yks. (I.W.) n.Lin.1 A wound not going on well is said to be not hairf so good to like as it was a bit sin'. (6) Nhp.1 I daredn't do't; my master wouldn't like of it. War.3, e.An.1, e.Suf. (F.H.) (7) n.Yks. He gav mair than he liket on (I.W.); Except it be to those whom she likes on, Quart. Sess. Rec. (Oct. 4 and 5, 1614) in N. R. Rec. Soc. (1884) II. 52. m.Yks.1 He seemed to like on it. w.Yks.3 They do it a deal more nor Au lauk on. (8) Nrf. ‘How are you getting on at Mr. So and so's?’ ‘I like myself warry well, in my new sitiwation’ (W.R.E.). Suf. He don't like hisself no matters (C.T.); He likes himself very well, e.An. Dy. Times (1892). Ken. I don't like myself here (H.K.); Ken.1 How do you like yourself? (9) w.Wor.1 Th' owd squire, 'e wer a good maäster; everybody liked upon 'im. Bdf. (J.W.B.) (10) I.W. I likes that street worst in the town. That's the job I likes worst of all (J.D.R.); I.W.1 3. refl. To enjoy oneself. Suf. They all had a grand supper o' the best o' vittles, an' they liked themselves rarely well, Fison Merry Suf. (1899) 20. 4. To take a liking to a place or situation. w.Yks. (J.W.) Lei.1 Mr. S. was very kind, and said he hoped I should like and get on well. ‘O, ah, oi shall loike well enew.’ 5. sb. Liking, taste, inclination. n.Yks.2 Efther my like. w.Yks. It was not to my like (C.C.R.). [1. He hath leue to lepe out, as oft as hym liketh, P. Plowman (B.) II. 231. OE. līcian, to please: Hit līcode Herode (Matt. xiv. 6).]

LIKE, see Lyke.