brethren

• brethern (obsolete)

From Early Modern English brethren, plural of brother, from Middle English brethren, from Middle English brethere, brether + -en (plural ending). Ultimately from Old English brōþor, brōþru (“brothers, brethren”), influenced by Old English brēþer, dative singular of brōþor (“brother”). Equivalent to brother +‎ -en (plural ending). Compare German Brüder (“brothers, brethren”). More at brother. The vowel change (from o to e) is called umlaut.

• IPA^(key): /ˈbɹɛðɹən/

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brethren

1. (archaic) plural of brother
2. (poetic) kinsmen

The plural brethren is generally used for members of an organization, especially a religious body, whereas the plural brothers is used in the familial sense as well as for larger groups.

brethren pl (plural only)

1. (figuratively) The body of members, especially of a fraternal, religious or military order.

• sistren

brethren (comparative more brethren, superlative most brethren)

1. Of or akin to; related; like
   • 2009, Seth Shostak, Confessions of an Alien Hunter:

     The principle still sounds good, but our astronomical knowledge is limited, and we haven't yet discovered any such brethren solar systems.

• Brethren
• brother
• sistren and nun
• friar and frater or father
• brotherhood, sisterhood
• fraternity
• siblings