brethren

noun

No English definition recorded for this entry.

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˈbɹɛðɹən/

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.

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.”

noun

Etymology: Specific use of brethren as a semantic loan from German Brüder.

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.
Members of the Church of the Brethren.