liken

verb

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]’).

1. Followed by to or (archaic) unto: to regard or state that (someone or something) is like another person or thing; to compare.

   “The physics teacher likened the effect of mass on space to an indentation in a sheet of rubber.”

   “And vvell may the preacher and plovvman be likened together: Firſt, for their labour in all ſeaſons of the year; for there is no time of the year in vvhich the ploughman hath not ſome ſpecial vvork to do. […] And then they alſo may be likened together for the diverſity of vvorks, and variety of offices that they have to do.”

2. Chiefly followed by to: to make (oneself, someone, or something) resemble another person or thing.

   “Speech is reason's brother, and a kingly prerogative of man, / That likeneth him to his Maker, who spake, and it was done.”

3. To represent or symbolize (something).
4. Followed by to: to be like or resemble; also, to become like.