brethren
Meaning
-
- plural of brother
- kinsmen
Synonyms
fellow citizen
fellow countryman
elder brother
fellow countrymen
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ˈbɹɛðɹən/
Etymology
In summary
From Early Modern English brethren, plural of brother, from Middle English brethren, from Middle English brethere, brether + -en (plural ending). Ultimately from Old English brōþor, brōþru (“brothers, brethren”), influenced by Old English brēþer, dative singular of brōþor (“brother”). Equivalent to brother + -en (plural ending). Compare German Brüder (“brothers, brethren”). More at brother. The vowel change (from o to e) is called umlaut.
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New
brother
-
- Son of the same parents as another person.
- A male having at least one parent in common with another (see half-brother, stepbrother).
- A male fellow member of a religious community, church, trades union etc.
- (informal) A form of address to a man.
- A fellow black man.
- Somebody, usually male, connected by a common cause, situation, or affection.
- Someone who is a peer, whether male or female.
- Someone who is a kinsman or shares the same patriarch.
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Notes