Brother

bruth′ėr, n. a male born of the same parents: any one closely united with or resembling another; a ociated in common interests, occupation, .: a fellow-member of a religious order, a fellow-member of a guild, .: a fellow-creature, fellow-citizen, a co-religionist: ( B. ) a kinsman: pl. Broth′ers and Breth′ren , the latter esp. used in the sense of fellow-membership of guilds, religious communities, ., and is a name given to certain sections of the Church of Christ, as Christian Brethren, Moravian Brethren, Plymouth Brethren, .— ns. Broth′er-ger′man , a brother having the same father and mother, in contradistinction to a half-brother , by one parent only; Broth′erhood , the state of being a brother: an a ociation of men for any purpose; Broth′er-in-law , the brother of a husband or wife: a sister's husband.— adjs. Broth′er-like , Broth′erly , like a brother: kind: affectionate.— n. Broth′erline , state of being brotherly: kindne . [A.S. broðor ; cog. with Ger. bruder , Gael. brathair , Fr. frère , L. frater , Sans. bhrátar .]