brotherly
/ˈbɹʌð.ə.li/
BɹɅÐ · ə · li (3 syllables)
English
Adj Top 23,337
Ad
Definition
Of or characteristic of brothers.
Etymology
From Middle English brotherly, from Old English brōþorlīċ, from Proto-Germanic *brōþurlīkaz, equivalent to brother + -ly (adjectival suffix). Cognate with Dutch broederlijk (“brotherly”), German brüderlich (“brotherly”), Swedish broderlig (“brotherly”). Piecewise doublet of friarly.
Example Sentences
- "brotherly love"
- "Do not despair. To be friendless is indeed to be unfortunate, but the hearts of men, when unprejudiced by any obvious self-interest, are full of brotherly love and charity."
Ad