friar

/ˈfɹaɪɚ/

UK: /ˈfɹaɪə/

friar

English Noun Top 16,914

Definition

A member of a mendicant Christian order such as the Augustinians, Carmelites (white friars), Franciscans (grey friars) or the Dominicans (black friars).

Etymology

PIE word *bʰréh₂tēr From Middle English frere, from Old French frere, from Latin frāter (“brother”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *bʰréh₂tēr (“brother”). Doublet of bhai, brother, bru, frater, pal, and vai.