resemblance
UK[rɪˈzɛmbləns]US[rɪˈzɛmbləns]
n
the state of being similar to someone or something, especially in appearance.
n
a way in which two or more things are alike; a similarity.
Morpheme Breakdown
re
sembl
ance
re
again
sembl
like
ance
Etymology
the word 'resemblance' entered english in the late 14th century from old french 'resemblance', which itself was built on the verb 'resembler' meaning 'to be like'. the french verb combined the intensive prefix 're-' with 'sembler' ('to seem'), a descendant of latin 'similare' ('to imitate, make like'), from 'similis' ('like, similar'). the core root 'similis' is traced back to the proto-indo-european sem- meaning 'one, together', which also gives rise to words like 'same' and 'similar'. thus, the literal sense of 'resemblance' is the state or quality of being made to seem like something again, evolving into its modern abstract meaning of a perceived likeness or similarity between entities.
Analysis
Structure: re + sembl + ance
re- (Latin prefix, meaning 'again' or 'back'), sembl- (from Latin 'similis', meaning 'like' or 'similar'), -ance (Latin suffix via French, forming nouns indicating a state or quality).
Examples
the resemblance between the twins is quite striking.
there is a strong resemblance in their writing styles.
the painting bears little resemblance to the original scene.