fri·ar \ˈfrī(ə)r, -īə\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle English frere, fryer, from Old French frere, literally, brother, from Latin fratr-, frater — more at brother 1. a.: a member of a mendicant order b.: monk 2.: silversides 3.archaic: a white or pale patch on a printed sheet caused by insufficient deposition of ink — compare monk 4.: pilgrim brown