brethren

alternative obsolete brethern · alternative obsolete bretheren

1. archaicpluralplural of brother

   The Introit over, the service is interrupted for the feast. Contrary to the festive fashion of the nobles, who all sit with their swords beside them, here, in this feast of brethren, are no arms, not even a knife.

   1863, Jules Michelet, La Sorcière: The Witch of the Middle Ages translated by Lionel J. Trotter

2. poetickinsmen

alternative obsolete brethern · alternative obsolete bretheren

1. figurativelypluralplural onlyThe body of members, especially of a fraternal, religious or military order.

   The unity of Muslim and Jewish leaders on this issue in Europe should spur Orthodox Jews to stand up for our Muslims^([sic]) brethren in detention centers.

   2020 August 20, Eliezer Brand, “ICE is forcing Muslims to eat pork. My fellow Orthodox Jews: This is our fight!”, in The Forward, archived from the original on 24 Oct 2020

comparative more brethren · superlative most brethren · alternative obsolete brethern · alternative obsolete bretheren

1. Of or akin to; related; like

   The principle still sounds good, but our astronomical knowledge is limited, and we haven't yet discovered any such brethren solar systems.

   2009, Seth Shostak, Confessions of an Alien Hunter

1. pluralplural onlyChristianityMembers of any congregation in the Anabaptist tradition of the Schwarzenau Brethren, practicing credobaptism and committed to nonresistance and nonviolence, some of whom may wear plain dress and shun modern technology.
2. pluralplural onlyspecificallyMembers of the Church of the Brethren.