half brother

English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From Middle English half-brother, equivalent to half- +‎ brother. Cognate with Dutch halfbroer (halfbrother), German Halbbruder (halfbrother), Danish halvbroder (halfbrother), Swedish halvbroder, halvbror (halfbrother), Icelandic hálfbróðir (halfbrother).

Pronunciation

  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˌhæfˈbɹʌðɚ/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

half brother (plural half brothers or half brethren)

  1. A male sibling sharing a single parent, as distinguished from a full brother or brother-german, from a step-brother, or from a brother-like figure such as a blood brother.
  2. (horse racing) A male half sibling (same dam, different sires).

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See also