a group of men united for some particular purpose, esp Christian laymen organized for religious or charitable service; brotherhood
Derived forms
confraternal (ˌconfraˈternal)
adjective
Word origin
C15: from Medieval Latin confrāternitās; see confrère, fraternity
confraternity in American English
(ˌkɑnfrəˈtɜrnəti)
nounWord forms: pluralˌconfraˈternities
1.
fraternal bond; brotherhood
2.
a group of men (or, sometimes, men and women) associated for some purpose or in a profession; esp., a religious society, usually of laymen, with a devotional or charitable purpose
Word origin
ME confraternite < ML confraternitas: see com- & fraternity