Christ-likeadv.adj.
/ˈkrʌɪs(t)lʌɪk/, U.S. /ˈkraɪs(t)ˌlaɪk/ A. adv.
In a manner resembling Christ.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > the Trinity > the Son or Christ > [adverb]
Christ-like1612
Messianically1846
1612 J. Maxwell Queene Elizabeths Looking-glasse iii. 54 It standeth them in hand to wrastle against the world valiantly, yea to conquer and ouercome it victoriously: I mean not Cæsar-like, by subiugation or possession, but Christ-like, by conculcation.
1843 Universalist Misc. July 10 It was only by living Christ-like that they could comprehend Christ.
1960 Jrnl. Univ. Bombay Sept. 186 A picture showing the Prince of Huainan acquiring a buoyant body on reviving after death and ascending Christ-like to Heaven.
1995 Gaston (Gastonia, N. Carolina) Gaz. 23 Dec. 3 c/3 St. Nicholas..patterned his life after Christ. He gave to others and lived Christ-like.
B. adj.
Resembling (that of) Christ; exhibiting the character, qualities, etc., associated with Christ, esp. compassion, love of others, selflessness, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > the Trinity > the Son or Christ > [adjective] > resembling Christ
Christly1538
Christ-like1635
Jesusy1927
1635 W. Jones 3 John i. 9 in Comm. Epist. St. Paul 699 They that will be in high places, whether God will or no, ensnare themselves ere they be aware... It is not Christ-like, he was called to it, he intruded not himselfe.
1646 T. Collier Exhaltation of Christ iii. 257 If you seeke the lifting up of Christ above all, then certainly your care will be, to live a Christ-like life while you are in this world.
1680 W. Allen Perswasive to Peace & Unity (ed. 2) 26 It would be far more Christ-like..to use more..tenderness towards the weak.
a1711 T. Ken Wks. (1721) I. 490 A Christ-like patience.
1882 F. W. Farrar Early Days Christianity II. 500 The most Christ-like of God's saints.
1932 Sewanee Rev. 40 196 Whatever is not rooted and grounded in a Christlike spirit of self-devoting love is valueless.
2018 Independent (Nexis) 24 Dec. There is nothing more Christ-like than giving up a little of our pleasures and comforts in service of our neighbours in need.
Derivatives
ˈChrist-likeness n. similarity to Christ; Christ-like quality or character, esp. that which is compassionate, selfless, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > the Trinity > the Son or Christ > [noun] > likeness to
Christ-likeness?1695
Christliness1854
?1695 J. Lead Wonders of God's Creation 20 Some may reach to such a perfect degree of Christlikeness, as that when they Die, this Angelical World may stand open to receive them.
1884 J. Parker in Christian World 15 May 363/2 Christlikeness of heart.
2017 Church Times 3 Mar. 6/3 After this reforming they are sent out, back into the world, to live lives of Christ-likeness.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.adj.1612