confrere

See also: confrère

English

Alternative forms

• confrère

Etymology

From Old French confrere.

Noun

confrere (plural confreres)

1. A colleague or fellow, especially a professional one.
   • 2008, Michael Sheehan, Wordmall, February 18

     Unfortunately, when it comes to the informant who turns state’s evidence against a confrere, the OED slaps on the obscure origin label.

2. A fellow member of a religious organization, referring especially to Catholic religious orders of men.
   • 2012, Timothy J. Johnson, Franciscans and Preaching: Every Miracle from the Beginning of the World Came about Through Words, p. 82

     Roger Bacon had little reverence for their Franciscan confrere, Alexander of Hales...

   • 2015, John Marenbon, Medieval Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction, p. 58

     ... but there was a limited number of magisterial chairs, and so, after a couple of years, the Dominican and Franciscan Masters had to stand aside for the next confrere in line.

Anagrams

• enforcer, reconfer