similitude
UK[sɪˈmɪlɪtjuːd]US[sɪˈmɪlɪtuːd]
n
The quality or state of being similar to something.
n
A comparison between two things.
Morpheme Breakdown
simil
itude
simil
like
itude
state of
Etymology
The word 'similitude' is a direct descendant of the Latin similitudo, which itself was built from the adjective similis (meaning "like" or "similar") and the noun-forming suffix -tudo. The root simil- can be traced further back to the Proto-Indo-European root sem- or sm-, meaning "one, together," which also gives rise to words like "same," "assemble," and "similar." The literal, morphemic meaning "state of being like" has remained remarkably stable, evolving into the modern abstract senses of a general quality of resemblance or a specific point of comparison. This logical construction, where a concrete descriptor is transformed into an abstract noun via a suffix, is a classic pattern in the development of English vocabulary from Latin.
Analysis
Structure: simil (like) + itude (state of)
- simil: From Latin similis, meaning "like, resembling." It functions as the core root conveying the concept of likeness.
- itude: From Latin -tudo, a suffix forming abstract nouns indicating a state, condition, or quality. It functions as a nominalizer.
Examples
There is a striking similitude between the two historical accounts.
The philosopher used the similitude of a ship navigating a storm to describe the challenges of governance.
The artist captured not just the physical features but the very similitude of her subject's character.