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• Confraternity — Con fra*ter ni*ty, n.; pl. {Confraternities}. [LL. confraternitas: cf. F. confraternit[ e]. See {Fraternity}.] A society or body of men united for some purpose, or in some profession; a brotherhood. [1913 Webster] These live in one society and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• confraternity — late 15c., from O.Fr. confraternité (14c.), from M.L. confraternitas, from confrater (see CONFRERE (Cf. confrere)) …   Etymology dictionary

• confraternity — ► NOUN (pl. confraternities) ▪ a brotherhood, especially with a religious or charitable purpose. ORIGIN Latin confraternitas, from confrater confrère …   English terms dictionary

• confraternity — [kän΄frə tʉr′nə tē] n. pl. confraternities [ME confraternite < ML confraternitas: see COM & FRATERNITY] 1. fraternal bond; brotherhood 2. a group of men (or, sometimes, men and women) associated for some purpose or in a profession; esp., a… …   English World dictionary

• Confraternity — A confraternity is normally a Roman Catholic or Orthodox organization of lay people created for the purpose of promoting special works of Christian charity or piety, and approved by the Church hierarchy. An archconfraternity is a franchise of… …   Wikipedia

• Confraternity — Confraternities (religious brotherhoods), were secular groups who came together in order to pursue penitential charitable works. They sometimes had their own buildings foundations, invariably attached to religious institutions which could be of… …   Medieval glossary

• confraternity — noun Etymology: Middle English confraternite, from Medieval Latin confraternitat , confraternitas, from confrater fellow, brother, from Latin com + frater brother more at brother Date: 15th century 1. a society devoted especially to a religious… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• confraternity — confraternal, adj. /kon freuh terr ni tee/, n., pl. confraternities. 1. a lay brotherhood devoted to some purpose, esp. to religious or charitable service. 2. a society or organization, esp. of men, united for some purpose or in some profession.… …   Universalium

• confraternity — noun a) A group of people with a common interest. b) A fraternity or brotherhood …   Wiktionary

• Confraternity — An association with a church, signifying the claim on the spiritual benefits and remembrance in prayers of a monastery by a benefactor or founder. To the lay population this round of prayer was crucial to a monastery s existence …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases