adj. & n.
--adj.
1. a (often foll. by to) well known; no longer novel. b common, usual; often encountered or experienced.
2 (foll. by with) knowing a thing well or in detail (am familiar with all the problems).
3 (often foll. by with) a well acquainted (with a person); in close friendship; intimate. b sexually intimate.
4 excessively informal; impertinent.
5 unceremonious, informal.
--n.
1. a close friend or associate.
2 RC Ch. a person rendering certain services in a pope's or bishop's household.
3 (in full familiar spirit) a demon supposedly attending and obeying a witch etc.
Derivatives:
familiarly adv.
Etymology: ME f. OF familier f. L familiaris (as FAMILY)