brethren

Etymology

From Early Modern English brethren, plural of brother, from Middle English brethren, from Middle English brethere, brether + -en (plural ending). Ultimately from Old English brōþor, brōþru (“brothers, brethren”), influenced by Old English brēþer, dative singular of brōþor (“brother”). Equivalent to brother + -en pl. Compare German Brüder (“brothers, brethren”). More at brother. The vowel change (from o to e) is called umlaut.

noun

  1. (archaic) plural of brother
  2. (poetic) kinsmen

noun

  1. (figurative) The body of members, especially of a fraternal, religious or military order.

adj

  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

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