lifelike

the word 'lifelike' is a transparent compound formed within english from its native germanic elements. the first element, 'life', originates from the old english 'līf', which carries the core sense of animate existence. the second element, 'like', derives from the old english 'līc', meaning "body" or "form," which evolved into a suffix denoting resemblance. the compound's logic is therefore direct and literal: "having the form or appearance of a living being." this straightforward construction has remained semantically stable, with its modern meaning of "realistically resembling life" being a clear and faithful continuation of its original, literal sense.

Structure: life + like life (from old english 'līf', meaning "existence, lifetime, living being"; functions as the core noun root). like (from old english 'līc', meaning "body, form, appearance"; functions as an adjective-forming suffix meaning "having the form or appearance of").