adj.
- well known from long or close association.
▸common; usual.
-
(familiar with)
having a good knowledge of.
- in close friendship.
▸inappropriately intimate or informal.
n.
-
(also familiar spirit)
a demon supposedly attending and obeying a witch.
- a close friend or associate.
- (in the Roman Catholic Church) a person rendering certain services in a pope's or bishop's household.
Derivative
- familiarity n.
(pl. familiarities)
. - familiarly adv.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. familier, from L. familiaris, from familia ‘household servants, family’.