crony

Meaning

Noun

• A close friend.
• A trusted companion or partner in a criminal organization.
• An old woman; a crone.

Origin

• Coined between 1655 and 1665 from Ancient Greek χρόνιος ("perennial, long-lasting") (English chrono-, initially as Cambridge University slang, in sense of “chum”, as “friend of long standing”, with illegal connotation later.
• Early spellings included chrony, as in 1665 diary by Samuel Pepys, supporting the Greek origin.