crony — cro ny (kr[=o] n[y^]), n.; pl. {Cronies} (kr[=o] n[i^]z). [Orig., an old woman. See {Crone}.] 1. A crone. [Obs.] Marry not an old crony. Burton. [1913 Webster] 2. An intimate companion; a familiar friend. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster] He soon found… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
crony — 1660s, Cambridge student slang, probably from Gk. khronios long lasting, from khronos time, and with a sense of old friend, or contemporary … Etymology dictionary
crony — comrade, companion, *associate Analogous words: intimate, *friend, confidant … New Dictionary of Synonyms
crony — [n] ally, companion accomplice, acquaintance, associate, bosom buddy*, buddy, chum, colleague, comate, comrade, confidant, friend, good buddy*, intimate, mate, pal, partner, sidekick*; concept 423 Ant. enemy, foe … New thesaurus
crony — ► NOUN (pl. cronies) informal, often derogatory ▪ a close friend or companion. ORIGIN originally Cambridge university slang: from Greek khronios long lasting (here used to mean «contemporary»); compare with CHUM(Cf. ↑chummy) … English terms dictionary
crony — [krō′nē] n. pl. cronies [Brit university slang < ? Gr chronios, long continued (hence taken as “old friend”) < chronos, time] a close companion … English World dictionary
crony — UK [ˈkrəʊnɪ] / US [ˈkroʊnɪ] noun [countable] Word forms crony : singular crony plural cronies showing disapproval a friend or supporter, especially of someone powerful … English dictionary
crony — Synonyms and related words: ace, adjunct, ally, amigo, associate, bedfellow, bedmate, bosom buddy, brother, brother in arms, buddy, bunkie, bunkmate, butty, camarade, chamberfellow, chum, classmate, coadjutor, cohort, colleague, comate, companion … Moby Thesaurus
crony — [17] Crony originated as a piece of Cambridge university slang. Originally written chrony, it was based on Greek khrónios ‘longlasting’, a derivative of khrónos ‘time’ (source of English chronicle, chronology, chronic, etc), and seems to have… … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
Crony capitalism — is a term describing a capitalist economy in which success in business depends on close relationships between business people and government officials. It may be exhibited by favoritism in the distribution of legal permits, government grants,… … Wikipedia
