[ frə'tə:nɪti ]
■ noun ( plural fraternities )
1》 [treated as sing. or plural ] a group of people sharing a common profession or interests.
↘ N. Amer. a male students' society in a university or college.
↘a religious or Masonic society or guild.
2》 friendship and mutual support within a group.
Origin
ME: from OFr. fraternite , from L. fraternitas , from fraternus (see fraternal ).