Crony

Noun

 * 1)  Close friend.
 * 2)  Trusted companion or partner in a criminal organization.

Related terms

 * Preferential treatment of friends in employment: cronyism

Thesaurus
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, company, compatriot, compeer, comrade, confederate, confrere, consociate, consort, copartner, fellow, fellow member, fellow student, girl friend, gossip, mate, messmate, old crony, pal, pard, pardner, partner, playfellow, playmate, roommate, running mate, schoolfellow, schoolmate, shipmate, side partner, sidekick, teammate, workfellow, yokefellow, yokemate