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Glite Dictionary
frère

frère

1 9.9
A French word for brother used for a monk or priest
  • noun
  • /frɛr/
translation icon : hermano
  • In the novel, the character was known as frère Jacques among the villagers.

Examples

  • The monk greeted his companion as frère during the ceremony.

  • My frère is visiting from France.

  • She addressed the visiting priest as frère out of respect for his role.

  • The monks refer to each other as frères.

  • In the monastery, the frère was known for his kind spirit and dedication to helping others.

  • The students were excited to meet their new frère who would guide them through their spiritual journey.

  • During the retreat, each frère shared his experiences to inspire the group.

Synonyms

frater
vsfrère
  • Formal
1 9.9

A title put before a member's name to show they are a brother in an order

is a foreign-language term used stylistically for a male religious order member

Surface Forms

frère singular
frères plural

Etymology

Frère comes from the Latin root frater, which means 'brother'. It is the same root behind English words like fraternity and fraternal, so frère is used both for a family 'brother' and for a male member of a religious group.