Brethren

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈbɹɛðɹən/

Definitions

1. A term referring to a group of men or boys who share a common bond, often used in a religious or fraternal context; it can signify a fellow member of a religious community or organization; in secular terms, it may denote a shared kinship or brotherhood among peers or allies
2. The word describes individuals who are connected by a sense of camaraderie, particularly in a familial or organizational structure; it conveys a strong affiliation within a group, especially among those of the same faith or ideals; it represents a collective identity rooted in brotherly ties
3. It typically denotes male members of a specific grouping united by shared beliefs, duties, or objectives; the expression can be used in ecclesiastical contexts to indicate fellow believers or members; it also signifies a broader association of men who identify as brothers through mutual support and commitment

Etymology: Brethren is a double plural. Old English had "brōþor" for "brother" and "brōþru" as an older plural, but by Middle English speakers had added their own plural ending "-en" (as in "oxen" and "children") to the already-plural-looking "brether," producing "bretheren." The word has therefore been marked as plural twice over, and its "-en" ending is the same one that survives in "oxen." The vowel in the word also shifted. Old English "brōþor" had an "o" sound that changed to "e" in the plural form, most likely under the influence of "brēþer," the dative singular of "brōþor." This kind of vowel change, called umlaut, is the same process that turns German "Bruder" into "Brüder," which means "brothers" or "brethren" in German as well.

Synonyms: brothers, kin, siblings, comrades, fellows

Antonyms: strangers, outsiders, enemies, adversaries, rivals