/ frəˈtɜːnəti; NAmE -ˈtɜːrn-/ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ C +sing./pl. v . ] a group of people sharing the same profession, interests or beliefs :
members of the medical / banking / racing, etc. fraternity
2.
(also NAmE informal frat ) [ C ] a club for a group of male students at an American college or university
—compare sorority
3.
[ U ] ( formal ) a feeling of friendship and support that exists between the members of a group :
the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity
For more information see the Cultural Guide
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French fraternite , from Latin fraternitas , from fraternus , from frater brother.