Inflected forms: pl. broth·ers 1. A male having the same parents as another or one parent in common with another. 2. Inflected forms: pl. often breth·ren ( brthrn) One who shares a common ancestry, allegiance, character, or purpose with another or others, especially: a. A kinsman. b. A fellow man. c. A fellow member, as of a fraternity, trade union, or panel of judges on a court. d. A close male friend; a comrade. e. A fellow African-American man or boy. 3. Inflected forms: pl. often brethren Something, such as a corporation or institution, that is regarded as a member of a class: “A station that … relies on corporate contributions or advertising to survive runs the risk of becoming virtually indistinguishable from its commercial brethren” (W. John Moore). 4.Ecclesiasticala.abbr.Br. or Bro. A member of a men's religious order who is not in holy orders but engages in the work of the order. b. A lay member of a religious order of men. c. Inflected forms: pl. often brethren A fellow member of the Christian church.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old English brthor. See bhrter- in Appendix I.
br
th
r
th
thor. See bhr
ter- in Appendix I.
