crony Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a close friend who accompanies his buddies in their activities
    sidekick; buddy; chum; brother; pal.

WordNet

Cro"ny noun
Etymology
Orig., an old woman. See Crone.
Wordforms
plural Cronies
Definitions
  1. A crone. Obs. "Marry not an old crony." Burton.
  2. An intimate companion; a familiar frend. Colloq.
    He soon found his former cronies, though all rather the worse for the wear and tear of time. W. Irving.

Webster 1913