[broth.er] n, pl brothers also breth.ren [ME, fr. OE brothor; akin to OHG bruodor brother, L frater, Gk phrater member of the same clan] (bef. 12c) 1: a male who has the same parents as another or one parent in common with another
2: one related to another by common ties or interests
3: a fellow member--used as a title for ministers in some evangelical denominations
4: one of a type similar to another
5. a: kinsman b: one who shares with another a common national or racial origin; esp: soul brother
6. a cap: a member of a congregation of men not in holy orders and usu. 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 ~"