brotherly

English

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈbɹʌð.ə.li/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈbɹʌð.ɚ.li/

Etymology 1

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).

Adjective

brotherly (comparative more brotherly, superlative most brotherly)

  1. Of or characteristic of brothers.
    brotherly love
    • 1816 June – 1817 April/May (date written), [Mary Shelley], chapter 15, in Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. [], volume (please specify |volume=I to III), London: [] [Macdonald and Son] for Lackington, Hughes, Harding, Mavor, & Jones, published 1 January 1818, →OCLC:
      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.
Derived terms
Translations

Etymology 2

From Middle English brotherly, equivalent to brother +‎ -ly (adverbial suffix).

Adverb

brotherly (comparative more brotherly, superlative most brotherly)

  1. In the manner of a brother, as a brother, as brothers.

Anagrams

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Old English brōþorlīċ, from Proto-Germanic *brōþurlīkaz; equivalent to brother +‎ -ly (adjectival suffix). The adverb was derived from the adjective in the Middle English period from brother +‎ -ly (adverbial suffix).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈbroːðərliː/

Adjective

brotherly (rare)

  1. Of or relating to brothers or siblings.
  2. Cheerful, jovial; like friends.

Descendants

  • English: brotherly

References

Adverb

brotherly

  1. In a brotherly way; in a way like a brother.

Descendants

References