frend n. & v. --n. 1 a
person with whom one enjoys
mutual affection and regard (usu.
exclusive of
sexual or
family bonds). 2 a sympathizer, helper, or
patron (no friend to
virtue; a friend of order). 3 a person
who is
not an
enemy or who is on
the same side (friend or foe?). 4 a a person
already mentioned or
under discussion (my friend at the
next table then left the room). b a person
known by
sight. c used as a
polite or
ironic form of
address. 5 (usu. in pl.) a
regular contributor of
money or
other assistance to an
institution. 6 (Friend) a
member of the
Society of Friends, a
Quaker. 7 (in pl.) one's
near relatives,
those responsible for one. 8 a
helpful thing or
quality. --v.tr.
archaic or
poet.
befriend,
help. øbe (or keep) friends with be
friendly with. friend at
court a friend
whose influence may be
made use of. my
honourable friend
Brit. used in the
House of
Commons to
refer to
another member of one's
own party. my
learned friend used by a
lawyer in court to refer to another lawyer. my
noble friend Brit. used in the House of Lords to refer to another member of one's own party. øøfriended adj. friendless adj. [OE freond f. Gmc]
