'ringlike' is formed in modern English by combining the noun 'ring' with the adjectival suffix '-like' (modern English), where 'ring' denotes a circular band and '-like' denotes 'having the form of or similar to'.

'ring' originates from Old English 'hring' and came into Middle English as 'ring'; the suffix '-like' comes from Old English 'līc' (later 'like') meaning 'body, form' and developed into the productive adjectival suffix '-like' in later English, giving the compound 'ringlike'.

Initially the components meant 'a circular band' ('ring') and 'body/form' ('-like'); combined they have long meant 'having the form of a ring' and this basic sense has remained stable into modern usage.