Etymology

Friar Minor

Today it means: Synonym of Franciscan: a member of the Order of the Friars Minor. Full definition →

Medieval Latin Fratres Minores ← Old French freres meneurs ← Norman freres menures
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The story

  1. Norman · derived fromfreres menures
  2. Old French · derived fromfreres meneurs
  3. Medieval Latin · derived fromFratres Minores“the Lesser Brothers”
  4. English todayFriar Minor

A calque of Medieval Latin Fratres Minores (“the Lesser Brothers”), both directly and via Old French freres meneurs and Norman freres menures, a name supposedly chosen by St Francis to inculcate humility.

Words from the same roots

Medieval LatinFratres Minores all →

minoress

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.