familiarity

 
Pronunciation: /fəmɪlɪˈarɪti/

noun (plural familiarities)

[mass noun]
  • 1close acquaintance with or knowledge of something: his familiarity with the works of Thomas Hardy
  • the quality of being well known from long or close association: the reassuring familiarity of his parents' home
  • 2relaxed friendliness or intimacy between people: familiarity allows us to give each other nicknames
  • inappropriate informality or intimacy: the unnecessary familiarity made me dislike him at once

Phrases

familiarity breeds contempt

proverb extensive knowledge of or close association with someone or something leads to a loss of respect for them or it.

Origin:

Middle English (in the senses 'close relationship' and 'sexual intimacy'): via Old French from Latin familiaritas, from familiaris 'familiar, intimate' (see familiar)