Definition of "fraternal"
fraternal
adjective
comparative more fraternal, superlative most fraternal
Of or pertaining to a brother or brothers.
Quotations
The Bhratridvitiya, or fraternal rite of the Hindoos, is an institution of this nature, being admirably calculated to cement the natural bond of union between brothers and sisters of the same family.
1881, Shib Chunder Bose, The Hindoos as They Are: A Description of the Manners, Customs and the Inner Life of Hindoo Society in Bengal
Of or pertaining to a fraternity.
Quotations
Quotations
[…] a delighted shout from the children swung him toward the door again. His sister, Mrs. Gerard, stood there in carriage gown and sables, radiant with surprise. ¶ "Phil! You! Exactly like you, Philip, to come strolling in from the antipodes—dear fellow!" recovering from the fraternal embrace and holding both lapels of his coat in her gloved hands.
1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter I, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company
noun
plural fraternals
A society formed to provide mutual aid, such as insurance.
Quotations
The ethnic fraternals benefitted from the favorable climate for fraternalism and voluntarism that existed in the United States, and borrowed ideas and practices from native organizations such as the AOUW, and from fraternals started earlier in the century by immigrants who by now were solid members of the middle class.
2012, Ivar Berg, Sourcebook of Labor Markets: Evolving Structures and Processes
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