| 释义 |
familiarn.adj.adv. Origin: Of multiple origins. Partly a borrowing from French. Partly a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: French familier; Latin familiāris. Etymology: < (i) Anglo-Norman famylier, familer, familiar, familer, Anglo-Norman and Old French, Middle French familier, famulier, Anglo-Norman and Middle French famillier, familler, Old French, famelier (French familier ) (adjective) regarded as belonging to the family (1160–74), close, intimate, dear (c1240), belonging to the family, related, relating to the household, domestic, typical, well-known, everyday (all 13th cent.), favourable (1372), accustomed, habitual (1396), friendly, benevolent, amicable (15th cent.), (masculine noun) member of a household, family member, friend, retainer, servant (all late 13th cent.), customary celebrant (of a church) (1335), person living with another as though a member of the same family, very close friend, intimate (c1370), lay monk attached to a priory or monastery (1482), and its etymon (ii) classical Latin familiāris (adjective) of or belonging to a household, private, personal, of or belonging to a family, closely associated, intimately connected, well-known, habitual, customary, suited (to), experienced (in), acquainted (with), (masculine as noun) member of a household, especially a slave, close friend or associate, in post-classical Latin also benefactor of a monastic community (from 10th cent. in British sources; 12th cent. in continental sources) < familia family n. + -āris -ar suffix1. Compare familiarity n.Forms in other Romance languages. Compare Old Occitan familhar friend, servant, Catalan familiar , adjective and noun (1344), Spanish familiar , noun (1243 or earlier in sense ‘person treated as a member of the family’) and adjective (c1370 or earlier in sense ‘unceremonious, inappropriately informal’), Portuguese familiar , adjective and noun (13th cent.), Italian familiare , adjective (1310–12). Compare also Middle French familiaire , familiair , familliaire , noun and adjective (see familiary adj.). Forms in Germanic languages. The Latin word was also borrowed into other Germanic languages: compare Dutch familiaar , adjective and noun (both 2nd half of the 16th cent.), Middle Low German familiār , German familiär (late 16th cent.; also more rarely in Latinized form familiar ). Development of specific senses. In sense A. 3a probably short for familiar spirit n. at Compounds 2 or familiar devil n. at Compounds 2; compare Spanish familiar, noun (end of the 16th cent. or earlier in this sense), short for demonio familiar familiar devil (1st half of the 16th cent. or earlier). A. n. 1. society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinship group > family > [noun] > family or household > member of household society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabitant > inhabitant by type of accommodation > [noun] > inhabitant of house > household > member of a1250 (?a1200) (Titus) (1963) 157 Nowðer ofþe familiers [c1230 Corpus Cambr. wummen] ne beo fram hire lafdi. ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. pr. v. l. 2090 Of familiers [or] seruauntz [L. familiaribus] of kynges. 1460 9 June (1872) 137 The said Sir Thomas Kenedy was in the Kyngis respit at the byschof of Sanct Androis has of the Kyngis as famelyar tyl hym. 1536 R. Moryson in J. Strype (1721) I. App. lxxii. 175 We Princes wrot our selves to be familiars to Popes... We obeyed them as our Superiors. 1548 f. ccxliiiiv To him, & his seruauntes & familiers a fre and a general Pardon. 1632 W. Lithgow vi. 268 Their victuals are brought dayly to them by their familiars. 1830 Apr. 122 He [sc. a newspaper editor]..kept his familiar, to that abused person's simple astonishment, running down and up four flights of stairs to look at the clock in State St. 1880 15 Dec. 213/1 The familiars and servants in the imperial household from Augustus to Nero. 1993 E. Muir (1998) i. 26 One of the lord's familiars served as steward..who collected and registered rents. society > faith > church government > ecclesiastical discipline > court > papal court (Inquisition) > [noun] > officer of 1560 J. Frampton Narr. Journ. Sevil in J. Strype (1709) I. xx. 229* This done, we took our Journey towards Sevil; the Familiar..and his Man well armed. 1645 J. Howell v. xliv. 47 When the said Familiar goes to any house.., all dores..fly open to him. 1713 1 The Holy House..consists of an Inquisitor General, the Supreme Council, Inquisitors, Assessors, Qualificators, a Secretary, an Advocate Fiscal, a Treasurer, Familiars, and Goalers. 1781 E. Gibbon III. 245 Many of the Castillans, who pillaged Rome, were familiars of the holy inquisition. 1819 R. Southey (1856) III. 227 I do not like to embody myself as a political Familiar. 1855 J. L. Motley I. ii. iii. 323 It [sc. the Holy Office]..having its familiars in every house. 1922 N. Springer ix. 108 I can imagine his perverted soul living in former lives—as a Familiar of the Inquisition or the red-clad torturer of some medieval prince. 1993 P. O'Brian vi. 150 A Marrano cannot afford to make enemies: one alleged dislike of pork..and the familiars come for him. 1829 A. S. Mackenzie xii. 217 The cathedral alone, is said to have six hundred people connected with it, including priests, singers, and familiars. 1885 W. E. Addis & T. Arnold (ed. 3) (at cited word) The nephews..of a bishop..in order to be considered his familiars, must render him real service. 1985 R. B. Lockhart ii. ix. 61 More rarely one may find in a Charterhouse a man known as a familiar. He will live in the monastery and lead a semi-monastic life, but wear ordinary clothes and carry out duties similar to those of a domestic. 2002 tr. in P. Levillain II. 740/1 The Familiars of the Pope included the pope's doctor, valet, secret groom, civil servants, [etc.]. 2. the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [noun] > friend > close or intimate friend ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius (BL Add. 10340) (1868) i. pr. iv. l. 407 For whiche þing oon of þi familers [L. familiarium] not vnskilfully axed þus. Ȝif god is. whennes comen wikked[e] þinges. a1425 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (Harl. 1900) (1879) VII. 529 Kyng Edward ȝaf the archbischopriche to his famyliare, Robart, that he had made bischop of Londoun. a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) I. cci. f. cxxiv Hugh Capet..was his famulyer and chief Counceler. a1569 A. Kingsmill (1580) xi. 70 Thou whom I have chosen..one of my twelve familiars. 1640 Bp. J. Hall ii. x. 139 A co-partner and a deare fameliar of..St. Peter and St. Paul. 1669 W. Penn ix. §10 It weans thee off thy Familiars. a1709 J. Fraser (1905) 366 He must drink Doch in Dorris, a homely drow which the Highlanders takes [sic] with their familiars. 1750 J. Hill i. 97 The vanity and pride of the former set [sc. great actors].., while it renders them contemptible among their familiars, may serve to make them excellent in the eye of the public. 1820 Ld. Byron 19 Nov. (1977) VII. 230 I became one of Matthew's familiars, by means of Hobhouse, who..took me into his good graces because I had written some poetry. 1859 ‘G. Eliot’ I. i. ii. 30 Retaining her maiden appellation among her familiars. 1916 H. M. Du Bose xii. 201 His father..was a familiar of the late George D. Prentice..and a close political associate of Henry Clay. 1957 L. Durrell 220 Panos and he were old familiars, if not actually cronies. 2002 22 Nov. 26/3 While there is obviously much to applaud in displays of instinctive sympathy and love to our familiars, it is difficult to see how these feelings can be successfully exported to our dealings with strangers. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > [noun] > person familiar with 1868 H. L. Bulwer I. 26 Laclos was a familiar of the Palais Royal, which the moral soldier shunned and the less scrupulous bishop frequented. 1876 J. R. Lowell Wordsworth in 2nd. Ser. 239 The life-long familiar of the mountains. 1895 H. James in July 20 We introduced everything and everybody into Mrs. Stannace's drawing-room, of which I again became a familiar. 1940 H. L. Mencken xv. 237 By the time I was ten I was a familiar of the Smithsonian and the National Museum. 3. the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > evil spirit or demon > [noun] > familiar or possessing spirit the world > action or operation > easiness > aid, help, or assistance > [noun] > that which or one who helps or means of help > a helper 1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin cviii. 661 A Sorcerer, or a charmer, or [he] that asketh Counsell at spirites that are called familiars [Fr. esprits familiers]. 1584 R. Scot iii. xv. 65 A flie, otherwise called a diuell or familiar. 1633 J. Ford iii. i. sig. F4 You haue..a familiar That poasts i' th ayre for your intelligence? 1652 J. Gaule 334 Examples of demonicall familiars. 1726 C. Johnson i. 2 I will demolish your Pantacles, your Magick Glasses, and Geomantick Figures; I will chace away your Familiars. 1748 T. Smollett II. xxxviii. 17 She paid me a visit,..to be introduced to my familiar. 1812 R. Southey II. ccxxxiv. 250 The old belief in familiars. 1866 W. R. Alger iii. 152 Our familiar is..a nimble and tricksy spirit, like Puck. 1911 W. Notestein vii. 161 The physician asked her where her familiar was and desired to see him, upon which she brought out a dish of milk and made a chuckling noise, as toads do, at which a toad came from under the chest and drank some of the milk. 1979 J. Halifax (1980) i. 16 The shaman's flight is..facilitated by song, the birdsong of animal familiars. 2002 N. Drury 100/2 Sometimes a drop of blood from the witch was included in the animal's food; allegedly forming a psychic bond between the witch and the familiar. the world > relative properties > relationship > accompaniment > [noun] > that which accompanies 1668 J. Dryden iv. f. 38 I tell thee man I did it, and it was done by the help of no Devil, but this familiar of my own brain. 1692 tr. G. P. Marana V. i. xii. 55 Melancholy, the constant Familiar of Restraint and Servitude. 1830 J. Galt I. i. vii. 46 The garret was alive with musquitoes, domestic familiars. 1867 J. H. Stirling in Oct. 379 Style..is one of De Quincey's familiars. 1905 Jan. 15/2 The Piano was his [sc. Chopin's] Familiar, and it..enabled him to speak through it a language never heard before nor since. B. adj. I. Senses relating to the household and close relationships. 1. the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrespect > [adjective] > by undue familiarity the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [adjective] > (of behaviour) unconstrained, free, or easy a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) vii. l. 3147 (MED) He [sc. Trajan] was lerned Of that he was to familier. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 31 In his hous as famulier was he As it is possible any freend to be. a1425 (?a1400) G. Chaucer (Hunterian) (1891) l. 4013 Thou art woxe to familiere Where thou shulde be straunge of chere. 1485 W. Caxton tr. (1957) 75 That ye suffre hym soo famylyer wyth you. 1580 J. Lyly (new ed.) f. 77 Where diddest thou learne that..being suffered to be familiar thou shouldest waxe haile fellowe? 1645 J. Howell (title) Epistolæ Ho-Elianæ. Familiar Letters, domestic and foreign. 1712 R. Steele No. 526. ⁋2 It does look a little familiar, but I must call you Dear Dumb. 1783 W. Thomson in R. Watson & W. Thomson v. 379 He..was indulged at all times, with familiar access to his person. 1839 H. Rogers II. iii. 136 The language of familiar dialogue and colloquial pleasantry..is always in a high degree idiomatic. 1898 19 242 The servant girl..was too familiar with him and offended him. 1930 D. L. Sayers xx. 251 It's a great mistake to be familiar with your subordinates. 1991 20 629 Casual writing, as in familiar letters and fridge notes, is just as prone to such inaccuracies as conversation. 2011 5 Dec. 48/3 Every once in a while, Kagan's social sonar has failed her, and she has come off sounding too familiar. the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adjective] the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [adjective] > sociable the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > social intercourse or companionship > [adjective] > affable c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 4657 (MED) Pallamydes..Famylier, curteis, and tretable. c1430 (c1386) G. Chaucer (Cambr. Gg.4.27) (1879) l. 1606 Now was Iason..goodly of his speche & familer [c1450 Fairf. famulere]. 1529 T. More iii. xi. f. lxxxiiv Yf they [sc. men] be famylyer we call them lyght. Yf they be solytary we call theym fantastyke. a1555 H. Latimer (1562) ii. f. 145 Christ..was a good familiar man..he came to mens tables when he was called. 1632 W. Lithgow ix. 416 Here I found euery where kind and familiar people. a1656 J. Ussher (1658) vii. 802 Whereupon one in a familiar banquet..promised Caius, that [etc.]. 1742 A. Pope 489 Bland and familiar to the throne he came. 1751 S. Johnson No. 89. ⁋12 In his unbended and familiar intervals. 2. society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabitant > inhabitant by type of accommodation > [adjective] > household society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinship group > family > [adjective] > relating to a family or household the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [adjective] > accustomed, used, or wont > familiar or usual > familiar or domestic the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > [adjective] > relating to a person in his individual capacity > personal or private ?c1400 (c1380) G. Chaucer tr. Boethius (BL Add. 10340) (1868) iii. pr. v. l. 2114 What pestilence is more myȝty forto anoye a wiȝt þan a familier enemy. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 540 O. famulier foo, that his seruice bedeth. a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville (Vitell.) l. 9064 Enmy noon ys so perillous..As an enmy ffamylyer. 1534 T. More Treat. Passion in 1294/1 The false treason of his familier enemy. 1569 R. Grafton II. 105 Commaunded..neyther..his awne familier houshold to doe him anye kinde of seruice. 1648 W. Montagu xiii. 154 Each one was allowed his Genius, each family their Penates for familiar gods at home. 1657 J. Worthington tr. Thomas à Kempis iii. xxii. 174 Thou O God hast chosen the poore & humble and the despised of this world for thy self, & for thy familiar and domestick attendants. 1781 S. Johnson Prior in VI. 34 His private character and familiar practices. 1863 A. P. Stanley I. ii. 43 Abram..was dwelling..in the midst..of his familiar circle. 2006 S. Rizwani & R. Hussain tr. M. Ashiq Ilahi (new ed.) ii. 488 The foster mother and her children, her sister, her brother and her parents become familiar relations of her foster child. society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > kinship group > family > [adjective] > belonging to a family society > society and the community > social class > nobility > title > [adjective] > belonging to a family society > communication > indication > insignia > heraldic devices collective > [adjective] > types of arms 1646 G. Buck ii. 45 Yet neither of these foure legitimate children..were permitted to the princely familiar Title of Lancaster. 1646 G. Buck ii. 46 [The Heralds] assign'd him..a shield of familiar Ensignes, the armes of France border'd with an Orle of Normandy or Guyen. 3. the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adjective] > intimate or familiar c1405 (c1387–95) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 215 Ful wel..famylier was hee With Frankeleyns ouer al in his contree. c1410 tr. R. Higden (St. John's Cambr.) (1879) VII. 163 He called out of Normandie some þat was famuliar [L. familiares] to hym. c1440 in G. G. Perry (1921) 7 (MED) He apperyde till ane þat was famyliare till hym in hys lyfe. ?c1450 (1891) l. 1508 Herefride..Was familier to cuthbert neest. 1516 Lyfe St. Birgette in (Pynson) f. cxxixv She was moch famylyer with seynt Byrgette in hyr lyfe. c1585 R. Browne 28 Priuate famillar felloshippe. 1609 P. Holland tr. Ammianus Marcellinus xv. v. 35 One that would seeme most inward unto him, and of his familiar acquaintance. 1642 T. Fuller v. xix. 438 Every one was..pleased..because he might be so familiar with the Prince. ?1715 (new ed.) 10 Knees [seen in dreams] are the Significators of Brethren, Children, and familiar Friends. 1751 S. Johnson No. 160. ⁋6 Time and intercourse have made us familiar. 1831 T. Arnold Let. in A. P. Stanley (1844) I. ii. 37 Be as familiar with them as you possibly can. 1842 J. Wilson II. 279 A familiar and privileged guest. 1913 June 415/2 Nobody's ever got real familiar with him. Not familiar enough anyway to ask about those missing registered letters. 2007 A. M. Flescher & D. L. Worthen v. 196 The practice of cultivating familiar relationships first, and, over time, less familiar relationships. the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > [adjective] > sexually intimate a1500 tr. Thomas à Kempis (Trin. Dublin) (1893) 9 Be not familier to eny womman. a1513 R. Fabyan (1516) I. ccx. f. cxxxv Emma..was accused to be famulyer with the Byssop of Wynchester. ?1518 A. Barclay sig. Av Aboute all London, there was no propre prym But long tyme had ben, famylyer with hym. 1605 W. Camden i. 226 A poore man found a priest over familiar with his wife. 1744 T. Salmon (new ed.) I. 650/1 They constantly take the cross off their mistresses necks, and cover all the pictures of their saints before they dare be familiar with them. 1813 J. Rendle iii. xiii. 227 Sejanus was, before her husband was dead, too familiar with her. 1995 P. W. Bardaglio i. 3 Catherine reported to her father in the autumn of 1843 that the governor had become too familiar with her. Hampton immediately wrote Catherine's uncle, denouncing Hammond for the attempted seduction. 4. In extended uses. the world > animals > domestic animal > [adjective] the world > food and drink > farming > animal husbandry > animal keeping practices general > [adjective] > tamed or trained 1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine f. cclxiii/2 Gotard..had one [hound] moch famylyer, whiche boldly wold take brede for the borde. 1569 E. Fenton tr. P. Boaistuau xxxiv. 119 The King,..made this horrible Serpent, by succession of time so tame and familiar, that he made him to be shewed as a thing of great miracle to straungers. 1600 J. Pory tr. J. Leo Africanus ii. 213 Serpents so familiar with men, that at dinner-time they wil come like dogs and cats. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) ii. iii. 302 Good wine is a good familiar creature, if it be well vs'd. View more context for this quotation 1721 R. Bradley 71 This year..several..[snakes] have been familiar about the House. 1785 W. Cowper v. 423 Till the pampered pest Is made familiar. 1849 III. 56 The tapir is occasionally domesticated and becomes..familiar. 1907 9 50 The Bluebird, though friendly and seeking the borderland between the wild and the tame, never becomes familiar. the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] 1553 J. Brooks sig. Fv A gentle familiare foode, apte and mete to be receaued. 1620 T. Venner v. 90 Womans milke is best, because it is most familiar vnto mans bodie. 1626 F. Bacon §61 Poysons haue beene made by some, Familiar. 1661 R. Lovell 106 Roe-buck. The flesh is..familiar to mans body. 1784 B. Cornwell i. iii. 45 Let him, however, feed on pure and light food, and such as is familiar to his temperament. the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > suitability or appropriateness > [adjective] > adapted to relations with something 1721 R. Bradley 38 Mistletoe..can never be made familiar enough with the Earth to take Root, or grow in it. II. Senses relating to knowledge and habituation. 5. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > [adjective] the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [adjective] > accustomed, used, or wont > familiar or usual a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vii. iii. 344 Þe heed is ofte disesid wiþ an famuler [L. famularem] passioun. ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (N.Y. Acad. Med.) f. 160 (MED) Bicause of familier doctrine, It is to wite after þe doctrine of heben mesue. 1490 W. Caxton tr. xxix. sig. Hiijv As we see by example famyler whan [etc.]. 1576 A. Fleming tr. Cicero in 105 Such pointes as to you are familiar. 1581 R. Goade in (1584) iii. sig. Xij This place of Tertull..is a knowen and familiar place. 1612 J. Brinsley ix. 145 Vntill the Latine be as familiar to the schollar, as the English. 1690 J. Locke ii. i. 44 It [sc. a child] begins to know the Objects, which being most familiar with it, have made lasting Impressions. 1756 C. Lucas iii. 298 An experiment familiar to nurses. 1793 J. Williams 44 To simplify our laws, and render them more familiar with our comprehension. 1817 W. Scott I. i. 9 I will..endeavour to tell you nothing that is familiar to you already. 1858 W. J. Grayson 31 In cottage yards, familiar sounds are heard..quacking ducks, and geese a cackling host. 1873 H. Spencer viii. 180 The contradictions..become by-and-by familiar, and no longer attract his attention. 1923 4 Jan. 9/3 Many writers of verse are familiar to the public through an anthologized example. 1959 P. O'Brian iii. 81 Tobias caught the familiar odour of medicaments. 1980 M. Thelwell xvii. 331 Ivan did not know who Big John Connally was. What movie was he in, the name sounded familiar, it had to be a cowboy star? 2003 H. Fielding xl. 227 Back in the familiar surroundings of her flat. the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > clearness, lucidity > [adjective] 1509 H. Watson tr. S. Brant (de Worde) Argt. sig. A.i Leuynge the egressyons poetyques and fabulous obscurtees..achyeuynge the werke in facyle sentence and famylyer style. 1529 T. More Dialogue Heresyes i, in 156/1 The very straunge familiar fassyon thereof. 1609 W. Shakespeare iii. iii. 108 I do not straine at the position, It is familiar, but at the authors drift. View more context for this quotation 1694 J. Addison Acct. Greatest Eng. Poets in 326 He [sc. Montague] unrein's His Verse, and writes in loose Familiar strains. 1753 J. Buchanan (title) The complete English scholar..Containing A new, short, and familiar Method of Instructing Children. 1869 E. Dunkin 23 We will, in a few familiar words, endeavour to state the cause of these seasonal changes. the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [adjective] > usual or ordinary 1533 tr. Erasmus v. sig. D.viv To breake promesse is famylyar [L. familiarem] to some. 1600 W. Shakespeare iv. iii. 52 Familiar in their mouthes as houshold words. 1614 W. Raleigh i. v. vi. §10. 762 The familiar custome, among Princes..of violating Leagues. 1711 J. Addison No. 135. ¶10 All ridiculous Words make their first Entry into a Language by familiar Phrases. 1780 W. Cowper 509 With such fine words familiar to his tongue. 1836 J. Gilbert iii. 104 The practice of impeaching the wares of others..is too familiar with mankind. 1866 J. E. T. Rogers I. xxv. 618 Wine was an article of general and familiar supply. 1943 58 240 Ostracism of political opponents was a familiar practice in Greek cities, especially Athens, where it is ascribed to Cleisthenes. 2012 M. A. Arbib vii. 202 Some apraxics..[have] difficulty..in performing familiar gestures on command. 6. the mind > emotion > love > friendliness > [adjective] > well acquainted or familiar with the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [adjective] > accustomed, used, or wont > familiar with or experienced in anything the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > [adjective] > knowing about, familiar with 1509 J. Fisher (de Worde) sig. A.vii Who that wyll not make his remembraunce famuler with them [sc. the perylles of hell]. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. A. de Guevara (1537) xxxviii. f. 69 He ruled quietly as a baron most peasible of mynd: and was as straunge to women, as familiar with his bokes. 1641 J. Johnson 43 The females are acquainted with this Vniversale... They are more familiar with it, then the men. 1693 Remonstr. Batchelors in (Park) IV. 505 Their sex has been so familiar with brandy. 1703 T. D'Urfey i. i. 3 Your Name too is memorably Historical—Mrs. Mrs. Pugh—I am familiar with it. 1733 A. Pope ii. 203 Familiar with her [sc. Vice's] Face, We first endure, then pity then embrace. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. 332 Men familiar with all ancient and modern learning. 1861 M. Pattison in Apr. 404 An assembly..with whose incapacity we are familiar. 1930 89 374 Most people are familiar with the term ‘moss back’ as applied to the common snapping turtle. 1991 Dec. 100/1 For those not familiar with the percussionist Evelyn Glennie, this CD neatly evokes her exceptional talent and eclecticism. 2010 D. A. Rothery i. 3 Before the curses of light pollution and smog, people were more familiar with the night sky than they tend to be today. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > [adjective] > possessing knowledge, informed the world > action or operation > behaviour > customary or habitual mode of behaviour > [adjective] 1726 J. Swift I. ii. vii. 126 He was amazed how so..groveling an Insect as I..could entertain such inhuman Ideas, and in so familiar a manner. 1883 F. F. Heard i. 13 The familiar way in which Shakespeare speaks of the law. 1920 Nov. 110/3 She bade the man come in and fetch the trunk, and she was interested in the expert and familiar way in which he handled it. 1980 W. Smith 207 The familiar manner in which she performed the chore left no doubt in Robyn's mind that she was responsible for the upkeep of her mother's grave. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > knowledge, what is known > familiarity > [adjective] > of knowledge: intimate, familiar 1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin vi. f. 12 Adam, Noe, Abraham and the rest of the fathers by this help attained to that familiar knowledge, which made them as it wer seuerally differente from the vnbeleuers. 1666 App. upon Capt. Everards Epist. 81 in M. Poole Such exact acquaintance and familiar knowledge of the Scripture. 1761 D. Hume II. xxxvi. 285 She had attained a familiar knowledge of the Roman and Greek languages. 1886 83 The teacher should be well and truly prepared for the great and arduous work of instructing the pupil, by a thorough and familiar knowledge of all subjects taught. 1989 B. Giamo 81 Rather than convey a close and familiar understanding of urban poverty, Howells's passage defies its intention. C. adv.the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrespect > [adverb] > by undue familiarity a1475 ( S. Scrope tr. (Bodl. 943) (1999) 130 It longith not to a grete lorde to be famulier [Fr. familierement] conuersaunt with his peple. a1600 R. Lindsay (1899) I. 50 The king..wssit him maist fameliear of any man. 1662 Duchess of Newcastle Wits Cabal i. iii. xix, in 266 I speak more familiar to such persons as are below my quality, than those that are equal to me. 1788 10 Dec. 12/1 She affected the Scotch dialect, and spoke very familiar. 1803 tr. G. C. A. Pigault-Lebrun III. 28 A person..who continues to treat me so shockingly familiar. 1873 T. Hardy II. xiii. 267 He'd clap his hand upon my shoulder and cuss me as familiar and neighbourly as if he'd been a common friend. 1905 J. Webster (1909) vii. 189 Don't speak to me so familiar! I'm Lord Kiscadden o' County Cark. 2008 A. Washington iii. 42 ‘How dare you speak so familiar with me?’ she blasted. Phrasesthe mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disrespect > [verb (transitive)] > by undue familiarity 1704 T. Brown Cal. Reform'd in Duke of Buckingham et al. 229 There's no stopping your licentious Tongue, otherwise you wou'd not make so familiar with the Head of the Church. 1708 Rehearsal 10 Nov. in C. Leslie IV Men of his Principles are us'd to make Familiar with Crown'd Heads! 1870 J. C. Duval xlii. 260 I thought maybe she takes me for some acquaintance of hers, and I'll go down and let her know she is on the wrong trail, just to see how foolish she will look when she finds she has been making so familiar with a stranger. 1920 H. B. Alexander ix. 286 The women gather beside the waters, where they make familiar with a water-monster..which is slain by the jealous men. Compounds C1. 1819 Oct. 283/2 The great Frederick of Prussia wrote a small and familiar looking hand. 1876 ‘G. Eliot’ III. vi. xlviii. 364 A coarse, familiar-mannered man. 1937 29 Dec. 1407/1 There never was a time in its history..when, according to some authority or another, pantomime was not dying. Here is one familiar-sounding plaint. 1997 26 May 86/1 It's one of those familiar-seeming lyrics that turn strange at second glance. 2004 W. T. Harper 301 Prison guards..did not always strip-search familiar-faced trustees. b. 1857 W. Collins II. vi. iii. 264 The ladies she is familiar-fond with. C2. the world > the supernatural > deity > angel > [noun] > guardian-angel the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > care, protection, or charge > [noun] > one who looks after > protector or patron > divinity, angel, or saint c1450 (?c1425) St. Mary of Oignies i. x, in (1885) 8 146 (MED) Hir famylier aungel þat hadde hir in kepynge. 1587 T. Newton tr. A. Hyperius (new ed.) iv. 37 That domesticall God or familiar Angell which was thought to be appropried to euerie particular person. 1686 J. Weldon tr. Leon de Vennes xxiv. 260 Your familiar Angel who labours for your Salvation. 1818 May 211 My familiar angel appeared to me once more, and with a sort of half-upbraiding, half-sorrowful look. 2004 D. Chacko v. 49 In the near background, black-and-white blowups of Marilyn Monroe and Cary Grant hovered like familiar angels above the coffee bar. the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > evil spirit or demon > [noun] > familiar or possessing spirit a1464 J. Capgrave (Cambr. Gg.4.12) (1983) 23 Þat same familiar deuel. 1599 tr. sig. E4v Siluester the second..had a familiar Diuel in a Brasen mans head from whom hee had answeres. 1695 J. Stevens tr. M. de Faria e Sousa II. iv. v. 398 Many have in their Houses familiar Devils, which they call Cutichates, every Day they offer something to them. 1759 tr. A. Calmet 126 It is a frequent thing among these people, for a familiar devil to be left as an inheritance by a father to his children. c1857 O. S. Leland i. i. 16 But this man then has some familiar devil who tells him what is passing in the hearts of others. 1900 J. Conrad v. 29 I am willing to believe each of us has a guardian angel, if you fellows will concede to me that each of us has a familiar devil as well. 2012 J. P. Davidson i. 52 English witches were extremely involved with familiar devils. German and French witches had familiars, but did not seem as dependent on them as the English were. the mind > language > naming > name or appellation > [noun] > nickname or additional name 1611 T. Coryate sig. O And hits him on the Noddle. [Note] A familiar name for the head. a1652 A. Wilson (1653) 271 The King at the next Interview saying to him, Ah Stenny, Stenny, (which was the Familiar name he alwayes used to him). 1785 T. Martyn tr. J.-J. Rousseau xxvi. 409 We have a wild species called Yellow Balsam, and also by the familiar names of Quick in hand, or Touch me not. 1852 Aug. 40 It was first discovered floating at sea, and at that time was presumed to be a marine production; hence its familiar name of Sea-coco. 1972 82 100 They are called circumpolar constellations and..they are known by familiar names, i.e. ‘Tucana’, ‘Chamaeleon’..etc. 2003 G. Burn (2004) iv. 108 Jackie's father, whose familiar name was ‘Bunny’, had tried for a jockey at Newmarket in his youth. the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > evil spirit or demon > [noun] > familiar or possessing spirit a1545 T. Lanquet (1559) iii. f. 233v [He] confessed, that he dyd it by the mocion of a familyar spirite. a1641 R. Montagu (1642) vii. §143. 473 People, who..had familiar spirits attending on them. 1775 N. W. Wraxall Let. 2 Feb. in (1799) II. 137 The doctrine of familiar spirits has its votaries and believers... Men..profess to possess the secret of invoking, summoning, and commanding these invisible agents. 1876 ‘G. Eliot’ II. iii. xxvii. 183 No familiar spirit could have suggested to him more effective words. 1999 R. E. Guiley (ed. 2) 120/2 In shamanism, a novice shaman acquires his familiar spirits, usually manifested in animal, reptile or bird shapes, when he completes his initiation. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2013; most recently modified version published online June 2022). <  n.adj.adv.a1250 |
