'likeness' originates from English, formed by the adjective 'like' + the noun-forming suffix '-ness.'

'like' comes from Middle English 'lik(e),' from Old English 'gelīc'/'lic' meaning 'similar'; the suffix '-ness' comes from Old English '-nes(s)e' meaning 'state or quality.' The compound 'likeness' emerged in Middle English as 'liknesse' and developed into modern 'likeness.'

Initially it meant 'the quality of being like or similar.' Over time it broadened to include both 'similarity' and 'a representation or image (portrait).'