| 释义 |
broth·er
I. \ˈbrəthə(r)\ noun
(plural brothers \-ə(r)z\ ; also breth·ren \ˈbreth(ə)rə̇n also -thərn\)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English brōthor; akin to Old High German bruoder brother, Old Norse brōthir, Gothic brothar, Latin frater brother, Greek phratēr member of the same clan, Sanskrit bhrātṛ brother
1.
a. : a male human being considered in his relation to another person having the same parents or having one parent in common — see brother-german, half brother; compare uterine
b. : a male of any lower animal similarly considered
2.
a.
(1) : a kinsman by blood
(2) : a male member of the same family, clan, or line, in primitive societies being often charged with the same responsibilities as a brother of common parentage
b. : a person regarded as sharing a common national or racial origin with the user of the word — often used without specific consideration of sex
< we must help our brothers in the Old Country >
c. : fellowman
< are not all men brothers >
3. plural often brethren
a. : coreligionist; especially : a fellow member of a Christian church — often used with a proper noun
< Brother Jones will pass the collection plate >
b. : a Protestant minister especially in some evangelical denominations — often used with a proper noun
< Brother Smith, the Baptist preacher >
4. plural often brethren : one related or linked to another by some common tie or interest (as of shared rank, profession, membership in a society, suffering, or labor)
5. : someone or something that closely resembles another in qualities or traits
< the brother qualities of greed and miserliness >
6. slang : fellow, chap, mate — often used as an informal term of address especially to a person whose name is unknown
< hey, brother, what time is it >
7. Roman Catholicism
a. usually capitalized : a member of a congregation of men usually not in holy orders but commonly engaged in hospital or school work
< a Xaverian Brother >
b. : a member of a men's religious order who is not preparing for or ready for holy orders
< a lay brother >
II. transitive verb
(brothered ; brothered ; brothering \-th(ə)riŋ\ ; brothers)
: to make a brother of : address or treat as a brother; especially : to admit to a brotherhood
III. \“; |brəˈthər, -ˈthə̄\ interjection
— used typically to indicate intensity of feeling about the topic in hand
< brother was I ever sick > |