The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Liken \Lik"en\ (l[imac]k"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Likened
   (l[imac]k"'nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Likening.] [OE. liknen. See
   Like, a.]
   1. To allege, or think, to be like; to represent as like; to
      compare; as, to liken life to a pilgrimage.
      [1913 Webster]

            Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
            them, I will liken him unto a wise man which built
            his house upon a rock.                --Matt. vii.
                                                  24.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To make or cause to be like. [R.] --Brougham.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

likening
    n 1: the act of comparing similarities