Resemblance (-blans), n.
Etymology: [Cf. F. ressemblance. See Resemble.]
1. The quality or state of resembling; likeness; similitude; similarity. One main end of poetry and painting is to please; they bear a great resemblance to each other. Dryden.
2. That which resembles, or is similar; a representation; a likeness. These sensible things, which religion hath allowed, are resemblances formed according to things spiritual. Hooker.
3. A comparison; a simile. [Obs.] Chaucer.
4. Probability; verisimilitude. [Obs.] Shak.
1 more senses
Syn. -- Likeness; similarity; similitude; semblance; representation; image.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for resemblance; he lists it under analogy, approximation.
Where he writes about it:
Analogy is specifically a resemblance of relations; a resemblance that may be reasoned from, so that from the likeness in certain respects we may infer that other and perhaps deeper relations exist. — from analogy
Resemblance and similarity are external or superficial, and may involve no deeper relation; as, the resemblance of a cloud to a distant mountain. — from analogy
Resemblance and similarity may be but superficial and apparent; approximation is real. — from approximation