Brethren

See also: brethren

English

Etymology

Specific use of brethren as a semantic loan from German Brüder.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɹɛðɹən/

• Audio (US)

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Noun

Brethren pl (plural only)

1. (Protestantism) Members of any congregation in the Anabaptist tradition of the Schwarzenau Brethren, practicing credobaptism and committed to nonresistance and nonviolence, some of whom may wear plain dress and shun modern technology.
2. (specifically) Members of the Church of the Brethren.

Usage notes

Often used attributively, as in My uncle is a Brethren minister.

Synonyms

• Dunkards
• Dunkers
• German Baptist Brethren
• German Baptists
• Tunkers

 

Derived terms

• River Brethren