egglike
|egg-like|
/ˈɛɡlaɪk/
egg-shaped
Etymology
'egglike' is a compound of 'egg' + the suffix 'like' in modern English; 'egg' refers to the familiar zoological egg and 'like' means 'having the form or appearance of'.
'egg' in English comes from Old Norse 'egg' (which replaced Old English 'æg' in many dialects), and 'like' descends from Old English 'līc' meaning 'body, form'; the compound sense 'having the form of an egg' developed in later English by combining these elements.
Initially the components separately meant 'egg' and 'body/form', and the compound has retained the straightforward meaning 'having the form or qualities of an egg' over time.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
resembling or having the shape of an egg; ovoid in form.
The sculpture had an egglike smoothness and perfect symmetry.
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Adjective 2
having qualities characteristic of an egg (color, texture, taste, or smell).
The batter gave the cake an unexpectedly egglike richness.
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Last updated: 2025/12/07 15:03