Fraternal is a nine-letter word that is spelled as /freɪˈtɜːrnəl/. The first syllable 'fray' is pronounced as in 'freight', followed by the vowel sound 'ur' in the second syllable, and the final syllables 'nal' are pronounced as 'nəl' like in 'final'. The word fraternal is commonly used to describe relationships between siblings or other groups with mutual kinship. The phonetic transcription is helpful for understanding the pronunciation of the word and can assist in proper spelling as well.
Fraternal is an adjective that encompasses several meanings related to the concept of brotherhood or a brotherly relationship. It refers to feelings, actions, or characteristics that are associated with or reminiscent of the bond between brothers.
In the context of relationships or organizations, fraternal denotes a bond or connection between individuals who are not actually brothers by blood but share a common purpose, goals, or interests. It suggests a unity and mutual support among members of the same group or organization, akin to the loyalty and camaraderie often found among brothers. For example, a fraternity is a group of male students who form a close-knit brotherhood within a college or university.
Fraternal can also describe charitable or beneficial organizations, such as fraternal orders or societies, which offer mutual aid, financial assistance, or social services to their members. These organizations are often founded on principles of brotherhood, benevolence, and community support.
The term fraternal can extend beyond human relationships to describe other entities that exhibit characteristics or qualities commonly associated with brothers. For instance, fraternal twins are siblings who are born from the same pregnancy but come from separate fertilized eggs. They convey a unique bond and resemblance, similar to that of biological brothers.
Overall, fraternal conveys a sense of closeness, support, and similarity often attributed to the brotherly connection, whether it pertains to individuals, groups, or other entities.
Pert. to brothers; brotherly; becoming brothers.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "fraternal" comes from the Latin adjective "fraternalis", which is derived from the noun "frater" meaning "brother". In Latin, "frater" refers specifically to male siblings, and "fraternalis" means "pertaining to brothers". This term was later used in English to describe the relationship, bond, or characteristic of brothers or brothers' roles within a fraternity. Over time, the word "fraternal" has evolved to encompass a broader meaning related to brotherhood, friendly relations, or associations among people.