Main Entry:

broth·er

Pronunciation:

\ˈbrə-thər\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural brothers also breth·ren \ˈbreth-rən; ˈbre-thə-rən, -thərn\

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English brōthor; akin to Old High German bruodor brother, Latin frater, Greek phratēr member of the same clan

Date:

before 12th century

1: a male who has the same parents as another or one parent in common with another2: one related to another by common ties or interests3: a fellow member —used as a title for ministers in some evangelical denominations4: one of a type similar to another5 a: kinsman b: one who shares with another a common national or racial origin ; especially : soul brother6 acapitalized : a member of a congregation of men not in holy orders and usually in hospital or school work b: a member of a men's religious order who is not preparing for or is not ready for holy orders <a lay brother>