English Dictionary

Definition of “fraternal

fraternal (frəˈtɜːnəllPronunciation for fraternal

Definitions

adjective

  1. of or suitable to a brother; brotherly
  2. of or relating to a fraternity
  3. designating either or both of a pair of twins of the same or opposite sex that developed from two separate fertilized ova Compare identical (sense 3)

Alternative Forms

fraˈternalism noun fraˈternally adverb

Word Origin

C15: from Latin frāternus , from frāter brother

Usage examples

  • I don't propose to appeal to him on grounds of fraternal affection.
    Melville, Anne, The Hardie Inheritance (1990)
  • At seven years old, researchers compared rates of learning disabilities in pairs of identical and fraternal twins.
    New Scientist (2003)
  • Labour must also develop a strategy of fraternal co-operation with Sinn Fé in.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • And if ordinary fraternal twins are born within 20 minutes of each other, they're completely different.
    Independent (1998)
  • { Fraternal twins } - On average, fraternal twins share only 50 per cent of genes.
    Eysenck, Hans, Test Your I.Q. (1994)

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