liken
Liken (verb) means Followed by to or (archaic) unto: to regard or state that (someone or something) is like another person or thing; to compare.
Etymology
From Middle English liknen (“to be comparable; to compare (often disparagingly); to make (someone) equal to another person; to regard (something) as equal to another thing; to regard (something) as likely; to resemble; to take (something) as a substitute; to apply, be adapted or suitable; to tend (to sin)”) [and other forms], from liken (“to be comparable; to compare; to be appropriate; to form”), from lik (“alike, analogous, similar; appropriate, suitable; equal; homogeneous; identical, the same; indicative; likely (to be or do something), probable; possible; simultaneous; more or most like (?)”) + -en (suffix forming infinitives of verbs). Lik is derived from Old English ġelīċ (“like, similar”), from Proto-Germanic *galīkaz (“like, similar; equal”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *leyg- (“like, similar; even, level”). The English word is analysable as like (adjective) + -en (suffix forming verbs with the sense ‘to make [adjective]’).
Rhymes for liken
See all rhymes for liken →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of liken?
"liken" (verb) means followed by to or (archaic) unto: to regard or state that (someone or something) is like another person or thing; to compare.
What are the different meanings of liken?
"liken" has 3 main meanings: 1. Followed by to or (archaic) unto: to regard or state that (someone or something) is like another person or thing; to compare; 2. Chiefly followed by to: to make (oneself, someone, or something) resemble another person or thing; 3. To represent or symbolize (something).