brethren

breth-ren · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    (archaic or formal) Fellow members of a religious community or church.

  2. 2.

    (archaic) Brothers; male siblings.

  3. 3.

    Fellow members of a profession, society, or organization.

Forms

plural: brethren

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    the Brethren — members of certain Protestant denominations
  • •
    our brethren — fellow members of a group

Related words

See also: brother, brothers, sistren
Synonyms: brothers, comrades, fellows, members

Etymology

From Middle English "bretheren," an archaic plural of "brother," from Old English "brōþor." This older plural form was retained in religious and formal contexts.