Quakers (7)
I believe the answer is:
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">quakers</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">('Friend' can be a synonym of 'quaker')</span><br/ ><br/ >This is the entire clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for friends that I've seen before include "Intimates" , "''..., Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears'' (Julius Caesar)" , "playmates!" , "Intimate acquaintances" , "Chums" .)