/ pæl; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
1.
( informal , becoming old-fashioned ) a friend :
We've been pals for years.
—see also pen pal
2.
( informal ) used to address a man in an unfriendly way :
If I were you, pal, I'd stay away from her!
► pally adjective :
I got very pally (= friendly) with him.
■ verb
( -ll- )
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PHRASAL VERBS
- pal around (with sb)
- pal up (with sb)
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WORD ORIGIN
late 17th cent.: from Romany , brother, mate , based on Sanskrit bhrātṛ brother.