Brother Meaning
Brother Definition & Usage
A male sibling; a person who shares at least one biological or legal parent with another.
Examples
- "I have two brothers, both older than me."
- "Her brother is coming to visit for the weekend."
- "John and his brother are very close."
- "We grew up in the same house, so he's more like a brother to me than a friend."
- "He has three brothers and one sister."
A male member of a religious order or society.
Examples
- "Brother Anthony is a member of the Franciscan order."
- "In many Christian communities, a brother is a term of address for a monk."
- "He was accepted as a brother in the convent after many years of study."
- "The brothers at the monastery live simple lives devoted to service."
- "Brother Thomas led the prayer session at the chapel."
A close friend or ally, often used in a figurative sense to denote camaraderie or a deep bond between men.
Examples
- "We've been brothers in arms for over twenty years."
- "He treated me like a brother, always having my back."
- "They were brothers in the fight for justice."
- "Even though they weren't related by blood, they were brothers in spirit."
- "He is my brother in every sense of the word."
To treat someone like a brother, often with a sense of loyalty or protection.
Examples
- "We brothed each other throughout the rough times."
- "He always brothers me whenever I need advice."
- "You can count on me to brother you through thick and thin."
- "We grew up together, and I've been brothering him ever since."
- "She brothers me like no one else does."
Cultural Context
'Brother' comes from the Old English 'broþor' and has roots in Proto-Germanic. It has been widely used across cultures to denote familial connections and fraternal bonds. In religious settings, the term takes on additional layers of meaning, often signifying an individual who has taken vows in a religious order. In contemporary usage, it can also refer to close friendships, particularly between men, signifying loyalty and brotherhood beyond blood ties.
A Brotherhood of Steel
Story
A Brotherhood of Steel
The sun was setting on the dusty plains, and the group of soldiers gathered around the campfire, each one lost in thought. It had been a long, grueling mission, but they had made it through. Among them sat Daniel and his brother, Marcus. Though not born of the same mother, they had been through so much together that the title of 'brother' felt more genuine than any blood relation could offer. 'You know,' Daniel said, staring into the fire, 'when I first joined, I didn’t expect to find a brother here. I thought I was just joining the army.' Marcus chuckled, his voice gravelly from the dust and fatigue. 'Well, we’re brothers now. Brothers in arms, like it or not.' It wasn’t just the battle that had forged their bond—it was the countless moments of shared experience, the late-night talks about their lives, and the unwavering support they’d shown each other through thick and thin. As the fire crackled, another soldier, Tom, leaned in. 'I never thought I'd find brotherhood here, but I have to admit, you guys feel like family.' 'That’s the thing about brotherhood,' Marcus replied. 'It’s not about blood. It’s about being there for each other when it counts.' In that moment, they weren’t just soldiers in a foreign land; they were brothers, connected by something deeper than any military obligation. They were brothers not only in arms but in spirit, bound by a loyalty that no distance or battle could break. The night stretched on, and the men leaned back, the comfort of their shared brotherhood a welcome balm to their weary souls. No matter where their journey took them next, they knew they would always be brothers, and that knowledge was enough to carry them through the toughest of times.
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