a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter:friends of the Boston Symphony.
a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile:Who goes there? Friend or foe?
a member of the same nation, party, etc.
Religion(cap.) a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker.
Idiomsmake friends with, to enter into friendly relations with; become a friend to.
v.t.
[Rare.]to befriend.
Middle English friend, frend, Old English frēond friend, lover, relative (cognate with Old Saxon friund, Old High German friunt (German Freund), Gothic frijōnds), origin, originally present participle of frēogan, cognate with Gothic frijōn to love bef. 900
friend′less, adj. friend′less•ness, n.
1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged comrade, chum, crony, confidant. See acquaintance.
2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged backer, advocate.
4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged ally, associate, confrere, compatriot.
1, 4.See corresponding entry in Unabridged enemy, foe.