Fra*ter"ni*ty (?), n.; pl. Fraternities (#). [F. fraternité, L. fraternitas.] 1. The state or quality of being fraternal or brotherly; brotherhood.

2. A body of men associated for their common interest, business, or pleasure; a company; a brotherhood; a society; in the Roman Catholic Church, an association for special religious purposes, for relieving the sick and destitute, etc.

3. Men of the same class, profession, occupation, character, or tastes.

With what terms of respect knaves and sots will speak of their own fraternity!

• the quality of being brothers; brotherliness
  
• a group of people associated for a common purpose
  
• (US) a social organization of male students at a college or university; usually identified by Greek letters; a frat