Familiar spirit

Familiar Fa*mil`iar, a. [OE. familer, familier, F. familier, fr. L. familiaris, fr. familia family. See {Family}.] 1. Of or pertaining to a family; domestic. ``Familiar feuds.'' --Byron.

Syn: familial. [1913 Webster]

2. Closely acquainted or intimate, as a friend or companion; well versed in, as any subject of study; as, familiar with the Scriptures. [1913 Webster]

3. Characterized by, or exhibiting, the manner of an intimate friend; not formal; unconstrained; easy; accessible. ``In loose, familiar strains.'' --Addison. [1913 Webster]

Be thou familiar, but by no means vulgar. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

4. Well known; well understood; common; frequent; as, a familiar illustration. [1913 Webster]

That war, or peace, or both at once, may be As things acquainted and familiar to us. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

There is nothing more familiar than this. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

5. Improperly acquainted; wrongly intimate. --Camden. [1913 Webster]

{Familiar spirit}, a demon or evil spirit supposed to attend at call. --1 Sam. xxviii. 3, 7-9. [1913 Webster]