† anlikeadj.n.

Etymology: Either (i) a variant of Old English angelīc, cognate with or formed similarly to Middle Dutch aengelijc , Middle Low German angelīk (also as anelīk , anlīk ), Old High German anagilīh , all in the sense ‘resembling, similar’ ( < the Germanic base of on- prefix + the Germanic base of ylike adj.), with early loss of the prefix of the second element in medial position in English (compare y- prefix), or (ii) cognate with a similar formation with an unprefixed second element evidenced by Old High German analīchī (noun) similarity, analīchida (noun) likeness, image, early Middle High German anelich (adjective) resembling, similar (German ähnlich ), Gothic analeiko (adverb) in the same way < the Germanic base of on- prefix + (ultimately) the Germanic base of lich n. (see note). Compare also Old Icelandic álíkr (adjective) resembling (rare), which could represent a reflex of either of those two types of formation, due to the usually early loss of the prefix in Scandinavian. Compare ylike adj., alike adj., like adj.The formations at (i) and (ii) are closely related and are probably distinguished by the earlier date when the prefix was dropped in the case of (ii) rather than separately derived from the Germanic base of lich n. (compare also discussion at like n.¹). Old English angelīc survives in Middle English as an-ylyke in isolated use as a noun in the sense ‘image’. In Old English a formation with initial prefixation (rather than prefixed second element) is also attested as geanlīc , adjective (in isolated attestation). Form history. The α. forms reflect Old English palatalization and assibilation of the velar word-finally or before the front vowel of the ending, either by phonological development or by analogy; compare α. forms at alike adj., α. forms at ylike adj. and n., and α. forms at like adj., adv., conj., and prep. Old English andlic- at β. forms shows remodelling of the first element by association with and- prefix (see the discussion at on- prefix). Compare β. forms at anlikeness n. Early Middle English anlyke at γ. forms probably goes back to Old English inflectional forms that were regularly unassibilated (compare discussion at ylike adj.). Use as noun. With use as noun compare ylike n., like n.¹, and anlikeness n.