Brethren : (noun)
1: (plural) the lay members of a male religious order
Based on WordNet 2.0
|
|
PlymouthBrethren : \Plym"outh Breth"ren\
The members of a religious sect which first appeared at
Plymouth, England, about 1830. They protest against
sectarianism, and reject all official ministry or clergy.
Also called Brethren, Christian Brethren, Plymouthists,
etc. The Darbyites are a division of the Brethren.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
|
|
Dunker \Dun"ker\, n. [G. tunken to dip.]
One of a religious denomination whose tenets and practices
are mainly those of the Baptists, but partly those of the
Quakers; -- called also Tunkers, Dunkards, Dippers,
and, by themselves, Brethren, and German Baptists.
Note: The denomination was founded in Germany in 1708, but
after a few years the members emigrated to the United
States.
Seventh-day Dunkers, a sect which separated from the
Dunkers and formed a community, in 1728. They keep the
seventh day or Saturday as the Sabbath.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
|
|
Brother \Broth"er\ (br[u^][th]"[~e]r), n.; pl. Brothers
(br[u^][th]"[~e]rz) or Brethren (br[e^][th]"r[e^]n). See
Brethren. [OE. brother, AS. br[=o][eth]or; akin to OS.
brothar, D. broeder, OHG. pruodar, G. bruder, Icel.
br[=o][eth]ir, Sw. & Dan. broder, Goth. br[=o][thorn]ar, Ir.
brathair, W. brawd, pl. brodyr, Lith. brolis, Lett. brahlis,
Russ. brat', Pol. & Serv. brat, OSlav. bratr[u^], L. frater,
Skr. bhr[=a]t[.r], Zend bratar brother, Gr. fra`thr, fra`twr,
a clansman. The common plural is Brothers; in the solemn
style, Brethren, OE. pl. brether, bretheren, AS. dat. sing.
br[=e][eth]er, nom. pl. br[=o][eth]or, br[=o][eth]ru.
[root]258. Cf. Friar, Fraternal.]
1. A male person who has the same father and mother with
another person, or who has one of them only. In the latter
case he is more definitely called a half brother, or
brother of the half blood.
Two of us in the churchyard lie, My sister and my
brother. --Wordsworth.
2. One related or closely united to another by some common
tie or interest, as of rank, profession, membership in a
society, toil, suffering, etc.; -- used among judges,
clergymen, monks, physicians, lawyers, professors of
religion, etc. ``A brother of your order.'' --Shak.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he
to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my
brother. --Shak.
3. One who, or that which, resembles another in distinctive
qualities or traits of character.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to
him that is a great waster. --Prov. xviii.
9.
That April morn Of this the very brother.
--Wordsworth.
Note: In Scripture, the term brother is applied to a kinsman
by blood more remote than a son of the same parents, as
in the case of Abraham and Lot, Jacob and Laban. In a
more general sense, brother orBrethren : is used for
fellow-man or fellow-men.
For of whom such massacre Make they but of their
brethren, men of men? --Milton.
Brother Jonathan, a humorous designation for the people of
the United States collectively. The phrase is said to have
originated from Washington's referring to the patriotic
Jonathan Trumbull, governor of Connecticut, as ``Brother
Jonathan.''
Blood brother. See under Blood.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
|
|
Brethren : \Breth"ren\, n.;
pl. of Brother.
Note: This form of the plural is used, for the most part, in
solemn address, and in speaking of religious sects or
fraternities, or their members.
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
|
|
Brethren, MI
Zip code(s): 49619
Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
|
|
|
|
