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brethren |
5 definitions found From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: Plymouth Brethren \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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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 or brethren 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}. From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]: 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. From U.S. Gazetteer (1990) [gazetteer]: Brethren, MI Zip code(s): 49619
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