Brother /(brŭth"ẽr)/

Broth·er

Brother

n.

pl. Brothers, Brethren ((brŭth"ẽrz))

  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. (Law)
    Two of us in the churchyard lie, My sister and my brother.
  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.
    We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother.
  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.
    For of whom such massacre Make they but of their brethren, men of men?

Phrases & Compounds
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.

Brother

v. t.

imp. & p. p. Brothered

  1. To make a brother of; to call or treat as a brother; to admit to a brotherhood.