liken
UK[ˈlaɪkən]US[ˈlaɪkən]
v
to describe or represent someone or something as being similar to another person or thing
Morpheme Breakdown
like
en
like
en
Etymology
the verb 'liken' originates from the old english word 'gelīcian', meaning 'to be pleasing', which itself is derived from the noun 'līc', signifying 'body' or 'form'. the core semantic shift moved from the concrete idea of 'having the same form or body' to the abstract concept of 'resemblance' or 'similarity'. the addition of the old english verbal suffix '-en' (from '-nian') transformed the adjective/noun root into a verb meaning 'to make like' or 'to compare'. thus, the modern word 'liken' directly carries the logic of its morphemes: to make or describe something as having a similar form or appearance to another.
Analysis
Structure: like + en
like (from old english 'līc', meaning 'body, form, likeness'; serves as the core root conveying similarity) + en (from old english '-nian', a verb-forming suffix indicating 'to make or become')
Examples
critics often liken his writing style to that of hemingway.
she likened the chaotic scene to a disturbed anthill.
one could liken the internet's structure to a vast, interconnected web.