Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Liklyhede, n. Also: likli(e)-, liklé-, licklie- and -heid, -head(e. [Late ME. and e.m.E. liklihede (c 1386), lyklyhed (1501): cf. Likelyheid.This and next are late adoptions or adaptations f. Eng. in place of Liklynes.]

Likelihood, probability; reasonable grounds for a belief or an expectation; also, an instance of this, a presumption. b. spec. The probable outcome of a course of events.(1) 1571 Bann. Trans. 204.
Gentlemen of blude … will … mak the lyk chalange against thé … whenever they sall sie sic licklieheid on thy part to perform thy part therof Ib. 300.
It is thoght resolutione salbe tacken anent the sending in of ane armie: whairof there is alreddie some liklieheid [M. licklieheid], but not sic forwardness as our necessitie craves 1586 Douglas Chart. 287.
To tak compt gif the personis … beis presentit to ȝow … .And finding likleheid to gett thame fylit, put it to prufe 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 158/10.
Exercise treu uisdome in discerning uyselie betuixt treu & false reportis, … considdering … thriddlie the likliheade of the purpoise it self(2) 1571 Reg. Privy C. II. 85.
Manifest pruiffis, presumptiones and liklyhedis of thair giltynes of the same [treason, etc.]b. 1571 Reg. Morton I. 73.
Prouide for the werst quhill ȝe see to quhat liklyheid thingis drawis 1577 Ib. 91.
As ȝe sall finde the liklyheid of all thingis, lett ws be aduertist therof

c. Appearance, impression. 1600-1610 Melvill 171.
Haiffing of the bountiful liberalitie of my God aneuche brought with my wyff, I wald nocht incur anie liklihead of a mercenar