FRATERNAL

brotherly, brotherlike, fraternal

(adjective) like or characteristic of or befitting a brother; “brotherly feelings”; “close fraternal ties”

fraternal, biovular

(adjective) (of twins) derived from two separate fertilized ova; “fraternal twins are biovular”

fraternal

(adjective) of or relating to a fraternity or society of usually men; “a fraternal order”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adjective

fraternal (comparative more fraternal, superlative most fraternal)

Of or pertaining to a brother or brothers.

Of or pertaining to a fraternity.

Platonic or friendly.

(genetics) Of twins or embryos, produced from two different eggs and sperm, and genetically distinct.

Synonyms

• brotherly

Coordinate terms

• (relating to a brother, with regard to gender): sororal

• (relating to a brother, with regard to heredity): paternal, maternal

Noun

fraternal (plural fraternals)

A society formed to provide mutual aid, such as insurance.

A fraternal twin.

Source: Wiktionary

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Fra*ter"nal, a.Etym: [F. fraternel, LL. fraternalis, fr. L. fraternus, fr. frater brother. See Brother.]

Definition: Pf, pertaining to, or involving, brethren; becoming to brothers; brotherly; as, fraternal affection; a fraternal embrace.

– Fra*ter"nal*ly, adv. An abhorred, a cursed, a fraternal war. Milton. Fraternal love and friendship. Addison.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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