fraternity
nounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//fɹəˈtɜːnɪti//
- United States//fɹəˈtɜɹnəti//
- United States/[-ɾi]/
The quality of being brothers or brotherly; brotherhood.
noun
- 1
The quality of being brothers or brotherly; brotherhood.
- 2
A group of people associated for a common purpose.
The decision of Judge Stafford [to dismiss the case] represents an exhibition of raw power wielded by the well-organized fraternities of the medical profession against consumer groups working in the interest of women's health care.
- 3
A social organization of male students at a college or university; usually identified by Greek letters.
Colin Schlank said he rushed a fraternity because he wanted to expand his social circle. […] “They’re called social fraternities for a reason,” he said, “because you’re trying to branch out, you’re trying to meet new people.”
Etymology
PIE word *bʰréh₂tēr From Middle English fraternite, borrowed from Old French fraternité, from Latin frāternitās, ultimately from frāter (“brother”).
Forms
- plural
- fraternities
fraternity · The quality of being brothers or brotherly; brotherhood.
frau · A woman, especially a German woman.Frau · Used as a courtesy title before the surname of a (typically…fraud · The crime of stealing or otherwise illegally obtaining money…