Friend (frĕnd), n. [OE. frend, freond, AS. freónd, prop. p. pr. of freón, freógan, to love; akin to D. vriend friend, OS. friund friend, friohan to love, OHG. friunt friend, G. freund, Icel. frændi kinsman, Sw. frände. Goth. frijōnds friend, frijōn to love. √83. See Free, and cf. Fiend.] 1. One who entertains for another such sentiments of esteem, respect, and affection that he seeks his society and welfare; a wellwisher; an intimate associate; sometimes, an attendant.
Want gives to know the flatterer from the friend. Dryden.
A friend that sticketh closer than a brother. Prov. xviii. 24.
2. One not inimical or hostile; one not a foe or enemy; also, one of the same nation, party, kin, etc., whose friendly feelings may be assumed. The word is some times used as a term of friendly address.
Friend, how camest thou in hither? Matt. xxii. 12.
3. One who looks propitiously on a cause, an institution, a project, and the like; a favorer; a promoter; as, a friend to commerce, to poetry, to an institution.
4. One of a religious sect characterized by disuse of outward rites and an ordained ministry, by simplicity of dress and speech, and esp. by opposition to war and a desire to live at peace with all men. They are popularly called Quakers.
America was first visited by Friends in 1656. T. Chase.
5. A paramour of either sex. Shak.
A friendat court or in court, one disposed to act as a friend in a place of special opportunity or influence. — To be friends with, to have friendly relations with. “He's... friends with Cæsar.” Shak. — To make friends with, to become reconciled to or on friendly terms with. “Having now made friends with the Athenians.” Jowett (Thucyd.).