英和和英

語源

From Early Modern English brethren, plural of brother, from Middle English brethren, from Middle English brethere, brether + -en (複数形 ending). Ultimately from 古期英語 brōþor, brōþru (“brothers, brethren”), influenced by 古期英語 brēþer, dative singular of brōþor (“brother”). Equivalent to brother +‎ -en pl. Compare German Brüder (“brothers, brethren”). More at brother. The vowel change (from o to e) is called umlaut.

発音

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɹɛðɹən/

名詞

brethren

1. (archaic) plural of brother
2. (poetic) kinsmen

使用する際の注意点

The plural brethren is generally used for members of an organization, especially a religious body, whereas the plural brothers is used in the familial sense as well as for larger groups.

派生語

名詞

brethren pl (複数形 only)

1. (figuratively) The body of members, especially of a fraternal, religious or military order.

形容詞

brethren (comparative more brethren, superlative most brethren)

1. Of or akin to; related; like
   • 2009, Seth Shostak, Confessions of an Alien Hunter:

     The principle still sounds good, but our astronomical knowledge is limited, and we haven't yet discovered any such brethren solar systems.

参考

• Brethren
• brother
• sistren and nun
• friar and frater or father
• brotherhood, sisterhood
• fraternity
• siblings