familiar

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   well known or easily recognized

   a familiar figure

2. 2
   adj

   Known to one, or generally known; commonplace.

   There’s a familiar face; that tune sounds familiar.

3. 3
   adj

   Acquainted.

   I'm quite familiar with this system; she's not familiar with manual gears.

4. 4
   adj

   Intimate or friendly.

   We are on familiar terms now; our neighbour is not familiar

5. 5
   adj

   Of or pertaining to a family; familial.

   1822, Lord Byron, Werner familiar feuds

6. 6
   noun

   An attendant spirit, often in animal or demon form.

   The witch’s familiar was a black cat.

7. 7
   noun

   A close friend.

   [A] friend of mine, that finding a Receipt in Braſsivola, would needs take Hellebor in ſubſtance, & try it on his own perſon; but had not ſome of his familiars come to viſite him by chance, he had by his indiſcretion hazarded himſelfe; many ſuch I have obſerued.

8. 8
   adj

   having mutual interests or affections

Etymology

From Middle English familiar, familier, from Latin familiāris (“pertaining to servants; pertaining to the household”). By surface analysis, family + -ar. Piecewise doublet of familial. Displaced native Old English hīwcūþ.