brotherhood

[bruhth -er-hoo d] /ˈbrʌð ərˌhʊd/
noun
1.
the condition or quality of being a brother or brothers.
2.
the quality of being brotherly; fellowship.
3.
a fraternal or trade organization.
4.
all those engaged in a particular trade or profession or sharing a common interest or quality.
5.
the belief that all people should act with warmth and equality toward one another, regardless of differences in race, creed, nationality, etc.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English brithirhod (see brother, -hood); replacing early Middle English brotherhede; see -head
Examples from the web for brotherhood
  • Gradually, he sought safety in the brotherhood of gangsters.
  • We can achieve a brotherhood onstage with musicians from all over the world.
  • They are a brotherhood standing up for one and other when need be.
  • He is by no means a second-in-command figure for the brotherhood.
  • He's bent on bringing his country into the brotherhood of first-world nations and reversing its growing reputation for blundering.
  • It had stupefied all blessed impulses, and awakened into vivid life the whole brotherhood of bad ones.
  • Rhapsody over brotherhood--or sisterhood--was more suspect, than ever.
  • brotherhood preachers are pragmatic and have less bushy beards.
  • But the followers have to see themselves as a brotherhood or whatever you want to call it.
British Dictionary definitions for brotherhood

brotherhood

/ˈbrʌðəˌhʊd/
noun
1.
the state of being related as a brother or brothers
2.
an association or fellowship, such as a trade union
3.
all persons engaged in a particular profession, trade, etc
4.
the belief, feeling, or hope that all people should regard and treat one another as equals
Word Origin and History for brotherhood
n.

equivalent of Old English broþerrede "fellowship, brotherhood," with ending as in kindred; in early Middle English the word was brotherhede with ending as in maidenhead. The modern word, with -hood, is from 15c. Originally "relationship of a brother," also "friendly companionship." Concrete sense of "an association, a fraternity" is from mid-14c. in the Middle English word (later also "labor union," 1880s). Old English also had broðorscipe "brothership," broðorsibb "kinship of brothers."

Oh, the Protestants hate the Catholics,
And the Catholics hate the Protestants,
And the Hindus hate the Muslims,
And everybody hates the Jews.

[Tom Lehrer, "National Brotherhood Week" lyrics, 1965]