confraternity

[ kon-fruh-tur-ni-tee ]
/ ˌkɒn frəˈtɜr nɪ ti /

noun, plural con·fra·ter·ni·ties.

a lay brotherhood devoted to some purpose, especially to religious or charitable service.
a society or organization, especially of men, united for some purpose or in some profession.

Origin of confraternity

1425–75; late Middle English confraternite < Medieval Latin confrāternitās, derivative of confrāter (see confrere), on the model of Latin frāternitās fraternity

OTHER WORDS FROM confraternity

con·fra·ter·nal, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for confraternal

confraternity
/ (ˌkɒnfrəˈtɜːnɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

a group of men united for some particular purpose, esp Christian laymen organized for religious or charitable service; brotherhood

Derived forms of confraternity

confraternal, adjective

Word Origin for confraternity

C15: from Medieval Latin confrāternitās; see confrère, fraternity