familiar

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: B1 — Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a person attached to the household of a high official (as a pope or bishop) who renders service in return for support
  2. noun a friend who is frequently in the company of another
  3. noun a spirit (usually in animal form) that acts as an assistant to a witch or wizard

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.

In classic literature

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