2. One related or closely united to another by some common tie or interest, as of rank, profession, membership
in a society, toil, suffering, etc.; — used among judges, clergymen, monks, physicians, lawyers, professors
of religion, etc. "A brother of your order." Shak.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers,
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my
brother.
Shak.
3. One who, or that which, resembles another in distinctive qualities or traits of character.
He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.
Prov. xviii. 9.
That April morn
Of this the very brother.
Wordsworth.
In Scripture, the term brother is applied to a kinsman by blood more remote than a son of the same
parents, as in the case of Abraham and Lot, Jacob and Laban. In a more general sense, brother or
brethren is used for fellow-man or fellow-men.
For of whom such massacre
Make they but of their brethren, men of men?
Milton.
Brother Jonathan, a humorous designation for the people of the United States collectively. The phrase
is said to have originated from Washington's referring to the patriotic Jonathan Trumbull, governor of
Connecticut, as "Brother Jonathan." — Blood brother. See under Blood.
Brother
(Broth"er) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Brothered ] To make a brother of; to call or treat as a brother; to
admit to a brotherhood. Sir W. Scott.
