Familiar
/fəˈmɪliər/noun
Well known or easily recognized; also, a close associate or household servant in older usage.
Did you know?The occult meaning of a witch’s familiar is historically tied to the idea of a close, intimate attendant, not originally to the adjective “familiar,” but both descend from Latin *familia*—the household and everyone bound to it.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*dheh₁-m-
“to set, place, or establish”
Latin
Latin
familiaris
“of the household; belonging to a family or close companion”
Late Latin
Latin
familiaris
“a household servant or intimate associate”
Old French
Old French
famillier
“intimate, well known, on close terms”
Middle English
English
familiar
“well known, intimate; also a servant or attendant”
Modern English
English
familiar
“well known, easily recognized; a close associate or attendant”