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Webster 1913 Edition

crony

cro′ny

(krō′ny̆)

Noun.

;

pl.

Cronies

(krō′nĭz)

[Orig., an old woman. See

Crone

A crone.

[Obs.]

“Marry not an old crony.”

Burton.

An intimate companion; a familiar friend

[Colloq.]

He soon found his former

cronies

, though all rather the worse for the wear and tear of time.

W. Irving.

Webster 1828 Edition

Crony

CRONY

Noun.

[See Crone. But this word seems to carry the sense of fellowship; to join, to associate; whence its derivative, an associate.] An intimate companion; an associate; a familiar friend.

To oblige your crony Swift, bring our dame a new years gift.

Hence, an old crony is an intimate friend of long standing.