Definition of "crony"

crony¹

/ˈkɹoʊni/

noun
plural cronies
1. (informal, originally Cambridge University) A close friend.
  Quotations
  Rip now resumed his old walks and habits; he soon found many of his former cronies, though all rather the worse for the wear and tear of time; and preferred making friends among the rising generation, with whom he soon grew into great favour.
  1819 June 23, Geoffrey Crayon [pseudonym; Washington Irving], “Rip Van Winkle”, in The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent., number I, New York, N.Y.: […] C. S. Van Winkle, […], page 91
2. (informal) A trusted companion or partner in a criminal organization.

crony²

/ˈkɹoʊni/

noun
plural cronies
1. (obsolete) An old woman; a crone.
  Quotations
  Marry not an old crony.
  1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps