Liken
/ˈlaɪ.kən/noun
To describe or regard someone or something as similar to another.
Did you know?The word comes from the same ancient root as “like,” ultimately from a Proto-Germanic word meaning “having the same form,” so comparison itself was once about shared shape, not just opinion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*galīkaz
“having the same form; similar”
Old English
OE
gelīcian
“to please; to make like or similar”
Old English
OE
gelīc
“similar; like”
Middle English
ME
liken
“to make like; to compare”
Modern English
English
liken
“to compare or represent as similar”