| 释义 |
† ˈlikelihead Obs. exc. arch.
Also 4 liklih(i)ede, 5 likelehede, 5–6 lyk(e)lyhed(e.
[f. likely a. + -head.]
1. Probability. Chiefly in phr. by likelihead or of likelihead: probably, in all probability (cf. likelihood, 2 b).
c1386Chaucer Prioress' T. 144 She gooth..To euery place, where she hath supposed By liklihede hir litel child to fynde. 1495Act 11 Hen. VII, c. 2 Preamble, Extreme rigour..wherby by likelehede many of theym shuld lose their lives. 1501Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 151 Ye may have trial by lyklyhed what ther answere shalbe. 1533More Apol. 151 Certayne letters whyche some of the bretherne lette fall of late, and lost them of lykelyhed as some good kytte leseth her kayes. 1867Morris Jason v. 96 Fellows, what have we done? by likelyhead An evil deed and luckless. 1870― Earthly Par. I. ii. 553 Alas! full little likelihead That he should live for ever there.
2. Likeness; resemblance.
1390Gower Conf. II. 147 Men mai wel make a liklihiede Betwen him which is averous Of gold and him that is jelous Of love. 1413Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton) ii. xli. (1859) 46 Though it passe my wytte, and myn abylete, for to counterfeten it in veray trouthe of lykelyhede, yet [etc.]. |