A friend of a friend, that you have met, and are on friendly terms with. You do not maintain a friendship with them, but know them. Both parties wish not to do damage to your relation with a
close acquaintance, as that damage would reflect on individual relationships with your
mutual friend. But due to any number of reasons, such as differences in interests or schedules, you cannot truly become friends with them. Not someone you would seek company of, nor particularly enjoy, but respect and appreciate
the bond that they share with your friend.
I know Bob, he's a
close acquaintance of mine. Met him at
Fred's birthday party. They're both into some nerd stuff that I just can't get, so it's nice that Fred has Bob to bounce that
crap off of.
