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Worthy of belief; probable; credible; as, a likely story. It seems likely that he was in hope of being busy and conspicuous. Johnson.

Not likely; improbable; not to be reasonably expected; as, an unlikely event; the thing you mention is very unlikely.

Having an habitual tendency; habitually liable or likely; -- used of things. My vines and peaches . . . were apt to have a soot or smuttiness upon their leaves and fruit. Temple. This tree, if unprotected, is apt to be stripped of the leaves by a leaf-cutting ant. Lubbock.

It is likely or probably; perhaps. [Obs. or Archaic] -- Be*like"ly, adv. Belike, boy, then you are in love. Shak.

penly; to brave. -- To bid fair, to offer a good prospect; to make fair promise; to seem likely.

Likely to produce a certain effect, whether intended or not; fitted; adapted; suited. The only danger that attends multiplicity of publication is, that some of them may be calculated to injure rather than benefit society. Goldsmith. The minister, on the other hand, had never gone through an experience calculated to lea…

To examine by discussion; to debate. An opinion that we are likely soon to canvass. Sir W. Hamilton.

table for use inplaying cards, esp. one having a leaf which folds over. -- On the cards, likely to happen; foretold and expected but not yet brought to pass; -- a phrase of fortune tellers that has come into common use; also, according to the programme. -- Playing card, cards used in playing games; specifically, the…

contradict; to obstruct the operation of; to defeat. So plain a proposition . . . was not likely to be contravened. Southey.

To form by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise; to invent; to design; to plan. What more likely to contrive this admirable frame of the universe than infinite wisdom. Tillotson. neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life. Hawthorne.

ete obstruction of action. Things are at a deadlock. London Times. The Board is much more likely to be at a deadlock of two to two. The Century.

Capable of causing death; mortal; fatal; destructive; certain or likely to cause death; as, a deadly blow or wound.

denly or unexpectedly, into one's ownership or control; as, to spike cannon when they are likely to fall into the hands of the enemy. -- To fall in with. (a) To meet with accidentally; as, to fall in with a friend. (b) (Naut.) To meet, as a ship; also, to discover or come near, as land. (c) To concur with; to agree wi…

Not according with truth or reality; not true; fitted or likely to deceive or disappoint; as, a false statement.

The competitor (as a horse in a race) that is judged most likely to win; the competitor standing highest in the betting.

e surface of the ground, charged with explosive and projectiles. It is made in a position likely to be occupied by the enemy.

Difficult to travel; likely to trip one up; as, a founderous road. [R.] Burke.

goose. Goldsmith. A wild goose chase, an attempt to accomplish something impossible or unlikely of attainment. -- Fen goose. See under Fen. -- Goose barnacle (Zoöl.), any pedunculated barnacle of the genus Anatifa or Lepas; -- called also duck barnacle. See Barnacle, and Cirripedia. -- Goose cap, a silly person. [O…

Not plausible; not wearing the appearance of truth or credibility, and not likely to be believed. "Implausible harangues." Swift. -- Im*plau"si*ble*ness, n. -- Im*plau"si*bly, adv.

Not probable; unlikely to be true; not to be expected under the circumstances or in the usual course of events; as, an improbable story or event. He . . . sent to Elutherius, then bishop of Rome, an improbable letter, as some of the contents discover. Milton. -- Im*prob"a*ble*ness, n. -- Im*prob"a*bly, adv.…