Brotherhood Meaning
/ˈbɹʌðɚˌhʊd/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe state of being brothers or a brother (also figuratively).
nounAn association of people for any purpose, such as a society of monks; a fraternity.
Sentence Examples
"Freedom, Equality, Brotherhood" is also Haiti's motto.
The belief in the brotherhood of men seems like an idiotic dream nowadays.
Sami loved the spirit of brotherhood he found within Islam.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The fraternity promoted ____ among its members.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The members of the group shared a strong sense of ____ and loyalty city.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English brotherhod, equivalent to brother + -hood, from earlier brotherhede, alteration (influenced by suffixes in -hood, -head) of Early Middle English brotherrede (“brotherhood, fraternity”), from Old English brōþorrǣden (“brotherhood, fellowship”), equivalent to brother + -red (see brotherred). More at brother, -red. Piecewise doublet of friarhood.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
""Read lips: Without gas or without you? Without you. Without light or without you? Without you. Without water or without you? Without you. Without food or without you? Without you.
"Cold, hunger, darkness and thirst are not as terrible and deadly for us as your "friendship and brotherhood.""
— 2022 September 11, Scott McDonald, quoting President Volodymyr Zelensky, “Cold, Hunger and Darkness in Ukraine 'Not as Terrible' as Russia: Zelensky”, in Newsweek, archived from the original on 12 Sep 2022:
"a brotherhood of venerable trees"
— 1800, William Wordsworth, Degenerate Douglas:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The fraternity promoted ____ among its members.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The members of the group shared a strong sense of ____ and loyalty city.