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. familiarly adv.
[ ME f. OF familier f. L familiaris (as FAMILY) ]