Adelphos

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A male sibling; a term for a brother in familial or figurative contexts; a close male companion regarded as a brother figure
2. Refers to a male family member sharing one or both parents; the word is used to denote brotherhood by blood or strong camaraderie; also describes a trusted male ally akin to a brother
3. Denotes a male kin related by birth or adoption; used to identify a brother or someone treated like one in social or emotional bonds; often implies loyalty like that of brothers in a group or community

Etymology: Ancient Greek "adelphos" was a compound of "a-", meaning "not," and "delphys," meaning "womb," so its literal sense was "from the same womb." The term was a way of saying "brother" that stressed shared birth rather than any kinship by blood alone, and the Greeks used it that way from Homer onward. Its sibling "adelphe" ("sister") shows the same construction. Because the word was so closely tied to the idea of a shared mother, it became the base for modern terms built on Greek roots. English took the element "adelph-" through scientific and technical Latin and Greek coinages rather than through everyday speech, so you will meet it in words about siblings or shared origins rather than in ordinary conversation. The Greek noun itself is an old one, and it survives in English mainly as a building block.

Synonyms: brother, sibling, kinsman, brethren, fraternal

Antonyms: sister, enemy, stranger, foe, opponent