Also 7–8 chrony, 7 cronee, 7–9 croney, cronie. [Found first after 1660. According to Skinner 1671 ‘vox academica,’ i.e., a term of university or college slang. No connection with crone has been traced.]
An intimate friend or associate; a ‘chum.’
1665. Pepys, Diary, 30 May. Jack Cole, my old school-fellow … who was a great chrony of mine.
1678. Butler, Hud., III. ii. 1269. The Scots, your constant Cronies, Th’ Espousers of your Cause, and Monies.
1710. Steele, Tatler, No. 266, ¶ 2. This is from Mrs. Furbish … an old School-Fellow and great Crony of her Ladyship’s.
1818. Scott, Old Mort., xi. The poor lad—my old cronie’s son!
1857. W. Collins, Dead Secret, III. ii. (1861), 78. Her father and the doctor had been old cronies.
1864. Thackeray, D. Duval, VI. (1869), 85. My schoolfellow … became a great crony of mine.
b. attrib.
1663. Butler, Hud., I. iii. 188. He beat his Breast, and tore his Hair, For loss of his dear Crony Bear.
1713. Swift, Poems, Elegy on Partridge. Not one of all his crony stars To pay their duty at his herse!
c. 1845. Hood, Ode Clapham Acad., x. Some run … some twine Their crony arms.
