likely

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

That may be liked; that may please; handsome. In the United States, as a colloquial term, respectable; worthy of esteem; sensible.-- Worcester.


Mr. Webster has the following remarks on this word "The use of likely (for such as may be liked; pleasing; as, a likely man,) is not obsolete, nor is it vulgar. But the English and their descendants differ in the application. The English apply the word to external appearance, and with them likely is equivalent to handsome, well- formed; as, a likely man, a likely horse. In America, the word is usually applied to the endowments of the mind, or to pleasing accomplishments. With us, a likely man, is a man of good character and talents, or of good disposition or accomplishments, that render him pleasing or respectable."

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