ˈbrʌðə n. 1 a
man or
boy in
relation to
other sons
and daughters of
his parents. 2 a (often as a
form of address) a close
male friend or
associate. b a male
fellow member of a
trade union etc. 3 (pl.
also brethren) a a member of a male
religious order,
esp. a
monk. b a fellow member of
the Christian Church, a
religion, or (formerly) a
guild etc. 4 a fellow
human being. øbrother
german see GERMAN. brother-in-law (pl. brothers-in-law) 1 the brother of one's
wife or
husband. 2 the husband of one's
sister. 3 the husband of one's sister-in-law. brother
uterine see UTERINE 2. øøbrotherless adj. brotherly adj. & adv. brotherliness n. [OE brothor f. Gmc]