confraternity

[ kon-fruh-tur-ni-tee ]

noun

, plural con·fra·ter·ni·ties.

1. a lay brotherhood devoted to some purpose, especially to religious or charitable service.
2. a society or organization, especially of men, united for some purpose or in some profession.

confraternity

/ ˌkɒnfrəˈtɜːnɪtɪ /

noun

1. a group of men united for some particular purpose, esp Christian laymen organized for religious or charitable service; brotherhood

Derived Forms

• ˌconfraˈternal, adjective

Other Words From

• confra·ternal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of confraternity¹

1425–75; late Middle English confraternite < Medieval Latin confrāternitās, derivative of confrāter ( confrere ), on the model of Latin frāternitās fraternity

Word History and Origins

Origin of confraternity¹

C15: from Medieval Latin confrāternitās; see confrère , fraternity

Example Sentences

They, together with one brother, who is their chief, have charge of the government of the said confraternity.

From Project Gutenberg

In the year five hundred and ninety-three, the Confraternity of La Misericordia was started in this city.

From Project Gutenberg

If a member died at a distance from Rome three of the confraternity were sent to fetch the body.

From Project Gutenberg

A chantry of the Confraternity of St. George, built on the north side of the new church, took the place of a north aisle.

From Project Gutenberg

His stay in Limerick was particularly successful, and he founded a religious confraternity of laymen which numbered 5000 members.

From Project Gutenberg