English word brethren comes from English -en, Middle English brethere, Middle English brether
| Dictionary entry | Language | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| -en | English (eng) | (dialectal, or, non-standard, rare) Used to form the plural of nouns. Can be used to denote the plural form of a small number of English words, the majority of whose etymology goes back to the n-stem (i.e. weak noun) declension of Germanic languages. Used to form the diminutives of certain nouns. When attached to certain adjectives, it forms a transitive verb whose meaning is, to make [...] |
| brethere | Middle English (enm) | |
| brether | Middle English (enm) | |
| brethren | English (eng) | (archaic). (figuratively) the body of members, especially of a fraternal, religious or military order Of or akin to; related; like. |