brethren

Meanings

Noun

• Plural of brother
• kinsmen
• The body of members, especially of a fraternal, religious or military order.

Adjective

• Of or akin to; related; like

Origin

• From Early Modern English brethren, plural of brother, from Middle English brethren, from Middle English brethere, brether + -en. Ultimately from Old English brōþor, brōþru, influenced by Old English brēþer, dative singular of brōþor. Equivalent to brother + -en. Compare German Brüder ("brothers, brethren"). More at brother. The vowel change (from o to e) is called umlaut.