/ ˌkɒnfrəˈtɜːnɪti; NAmE ˌkɑːn-/ noun
( pl. -ies ) ( formal ) a group of people who join together especially for a religious purpose or to help other people
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French confraternite , from medieval Latin confraternitas , from confrater , from con- together with + frater brother.