friar
/ˈfrʌɪə
/noun
A member of any of certain religious orders of men, especially the four mendicant orders (Augustinians, Carmelites, Dominicans, and Franciscans).In the 1200's, members of new religious orders, called friars, began to work among the people....
- Michael Robson analyzes the preaching and service of Dominican and Franciscan friars.
- At the height of the indulgence sale, Martin Luther, an Augustinian friar from Germany, traveled to Rome and was shocked by what he saw.
Synonyms
monk, brother, male member of a religious order, religious, contemplative;
prior, abbot;
Dominican, Black Friar, Carmelite, White Friar, Franciscan, Friar Minor, Grey Friar, Minorite, Augustinian, Augustine, Austin Friar, Crutched Friar, Capuchin, Servite
historical mendicant
rare cenobite, cloisterer, religioner, religieux
Origin
Middle English: from Old French frere, from Latin frater 'brother'.
This is from Old French frere, from Latin frater ‘brother’, source also of such words as fraternal (Late Middle English) and fraternity (Late Middle English).