Similitude

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /sɪˈmɪlɪtjuːd/

Definitions

1. A quality of being alike or resembling something else in essential characteristics or form
2. The state of sharing characteristics or appearances that make things comparable
3. A condition where one thing closely mirrors or echoes the traits of another

Etymology: Latin "similitūdō" came from "similis," meaning "like" or "resembling," and the suffix "-tūdō," which formed abstract nouns of quality from adjectives. So the word's core sense is simply "the state of being like something." It passed into Old French as "similitude," and English borrowed it from there, carrying that same sense of resemblance into the language. The suffix is the interesting part for English speakers. Its "-itude" shape is the same ending seen in "gratitude," "altitude," and "solitude," which each follow a similar pattern of turning an adjective or base into a quality noun. "Similitude" is therefore built from a recognizable adjective, "similar," plus a familiar-looking ending, though the two are not quite the same formation in Latin. Over time, the word has held onto its formal, slightly literary tone. It appears most often where writers want to express abstract likeness rather than a simple match, as in discussions of resemblance between ideas, images, or people.

Synonyms: similarity, likeness, resemblance, affinity, correspondence

Antonyms: difference, disparity, dissimilarity, divergence, distinction