similar

1、simil- + -ar.
2、earlier similary, 也就是说是由similary缩略而来。

similar 相似的

来自拉丁语 similis,相似的，类似的，来自 PIE*sem,一，一样，词源同 same,simple.

similar

similar: [17] Similar comes via French similaire from medieval Latin *similāris, a derivative of Latin similis ‘like, similar’. This or the closely related simul ‘at the same time’ have also given English assemble [13], dissemble [15], ensemble [15], resemble, semblance [13], similitude [14], simulate [17], and simultaneous [17]. Its ultimate source was the Indo-European base *sem-, *som-, which also lies behind English same, simple, single, and the homo- of homosexual.
=> assemble, dissemble, ensemble, resemble, same, semblance, simple, simulate, simultaneous, single

similar (adj.)

"having characteristics in common," 1610s (earlier similary, 1560s), from French similaire, from a Medieval Latin extended form of Latin similis "like, resembling," from Old Latin semol "together," from PIE root *sem- (1) "one, as one, together with" (see same). The noun meaning "that which is similar" is from 1650s. Related: Similarly.

1. The Ukrainians speak a Slavonic language similar to Russian.

乌克兰人所说的那种斯拉夫语系的语言类似于俄语。

2. Over the years several similar theories have been put forward.

几年来已经有好几个类似理论相继提出。

3. The Casino, where she had often danced, had suffered a similar fate.

她经常跳舞的赌场遭遇了相似的命运。

4. Again the pregnancy was very similar to my previous two.

同样，这次怀孕和我前两次的情形非常相似。

5. Place them in a jam jar, porcelain bowl, or other similar container.

将它们装入果酱罐、瓷碗或其他类似容器中。

【parallel, uniform, identical, comparable, like, alike, similar】
这组词都有“相似的，类似的”的意思，其区别是：
parallel: 主要指在外表或在性质上相似到有可以相提并论的程度。
uniform: 指在性质、数量、形态或程度等方面相似到很难看出差异的地步。
identical: 语气最强，可指同一个人或物，也可指数个人或物之间完全没有差别。
comparable: 指在某一点或几点上有相似之处，可作有限或粗略的对比，尤指在价值或能力等方面可相提并论。
like: 普通用词，含义广泛，指多个或全部特性都相似，但并非同一个，也可指在某个特殊的偶然相似。
alike: 指事物在性质、特征或外貌上固有的而不是偶然的相似。普通用词，只作表语。
similar: 强调不同的人或事物之间完全或部分相似，暗示可暂不考虑或无视其差异之处。