I. ˈbrəthə(r) noun
( plural brothers -ə(r)z ; also breth·ren ˈbreth(ə)rə̇n also -thərn)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English brōthor; akin to Old High German bruoder brother, Old Norse brōthir, Gothic brothar, Latin frater brother, Greek phratēr member of the same clan, Sanskrit bhrātṛ brother
1.
a. : a male human being considered in his relation to another person having the same parents or having one parent in common — see brother-german , half brother ; compare uterine
b. : a male of any lower animal similarly considered
2.
a.
(1) : a kinsman by blood
(2) : a male member of the same family, clan, or line, in primitive societies being often charged with the same responsibilities as a brother of common parentage
b. : a person regarded as sharing a common national or racial origin with the user of the word — often used without specific consideration of sex
we must help our brothers in the Old Country
c. : fellowman
are not all men brothers
3. plural often brethren
a. : coreligionist ; especially : a fellow member of a Christian church — often used with a proper noun
Brother Jones will pass the collection plate
b. : a Protestant minister especially in some evangelical denominations — often used with a proper noun
Brother Smith, the Baptist preacher
4. plural often brethren : one related or linked to another by some common tie or interest (as of shared rank, profession, membership in a society, suffering, or labor)
5. : someone or something that closely resembles another in qualities or traits
the brother qualities of greed and miserliness
6. slang : fellow , chap , mate — often used as an informal term of address especially to a person whose name is unknown
hey, brother , what time is it
7. Roman Catholicism
a. usually capitalized : a member of a congregation of men usually not in holy orders but commonly engaged in hospital or school work
a Xaverian Brother
b. : a member of a men's religious order who is not preparing for or ready for holy orders
a lay brother
II. transitive verb
( brothered ; brothered ; brothering -th(ə)riŋ ; brothers )
: to make a brother of : address or treat as a brother ; especially : to admit to a brotherhood
III. “; |brəˈthər, -ˈthə̄ interjection
— used typically to indicate intensity of feeling about the topic in hand
brother was I ever sick