familiara.[OE. familer, familier, F. familier, fr. L. familiaris, fr. familia family. See Family.]1. Of or pertaining to a family; domestic.(Byron.)2. Closely acquainted or intimate, as a friend or companion; well versed in, as any subject of study; as, familiar with the Scriptures.()3. Characterized by, or exhibiting, the manner of an intimate friend; not formal; unconstrained; easy; accessible.(Addison.)Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. (Shak.)4. Well known; well understood; common; frequent; as, a familiar illustration.()That war, or peace, or both at once, may be
As things acquainted and familiar to us. (Shak.)There is nothing more familiar than this. (Locke.)5. Improperly acquainted; wrongly intimate.(Camden.)Familiar spirit, a demon or evil spirit supposed to attend at call. 1 Sam. xxviii. 3, 7-9.()n.1. An intimate; a companion.()All my familiars watched for my halting. (Jer. xx. 10.)2. An attendant demon or evil spirit.(Shak.)3. (Court of Inquisition) A confidential officer employed in the service of the tribunal, especially in apprehending and imprisoning the accused.()