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a person you know well and regard with affection and trust;
"he was my best friend at the university"
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an associate who provides cooperation or assistance;
"he's a good ally in fight"
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a person with whom you are acquainted;
"I have trouble remembering the names of all my acquaintances"
"we are friends of the family"
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a person who backs a politician or a team etc.;
"all their supporters came out for the game"
"they are friends of the library"
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a member of the Religious Society of Friends founded by George Fox (the Friends have never called themselves Quakers)