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 (plural ending). Compare German Brüder (“brothers, brethren”). More at brother. The vowel change (from o to e) is called umlaut.
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:
blood brethren, bredrin, Brethren, brethren in arms, brethren-in-law, co-brethren, half brethren, half-brethren, lay brethren, Social Brethren, step-brethren, stepbrethren, United Brethren, uterine brethren, womb-brethren
brethren
adj
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 (plural ending). Compare German Brüder (“brothers, brethren”). More at brother. The vowel change (from o to e) is called umlaut.
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:
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 (plural ending). Compare German Brüder (“brothers, brethren”). More at brother. The vowel change (from o to e) is called umlaut.
1
Figuratively The body of members, especially of a fraternal, religious or military order.
Etymology Specific use of brethren as a semantic loan from German Brüder.
1
Christianity, Protestantism Members 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
Specifically Members of the Church of the Brethren.
Synonyms
Dunkard, Dunker, German Baptist Brethren, German Baptist, Tunker