Friend
/frɛnd/noun
A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection.
Did you know?The Old English 'freond' was derived from a word meaning 'to love', highlighting the deep connection between love and friendship in ancient cultures.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*prə́i̯nd-
“to love, to favor”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*frijōndz
“one who loves, beloved”
Old English
OE
freond
“a person loved, a beloved one”
Middle English
ME
frend
“a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard”
Modern English
English
friend
“a person whom one knows and has a bond of mutual affection with”