'type-like' originates from Modern English, specifically combining the noun 'type' (ultimately from Greek 'typos') and the suffix '-like' (from Old English 'lic'), where 'typos' meant 'impression, form' and 'lic' meant 'body, form'.

'type' came into English via Latin and Old French from Greek 'typos', and the suffix '-like' developed from Old English '-lic'; these elements were combined in Modern English to form compounds such as 'type-like'.

Initially, the components referred to 'form' or 'impression' ('type') and 'body/form' ('-lic/-like'); over time they combined in Modern English to convey the sense 'resembling a type', which is the current meaning of 'type-like'.