fraternity

n.; pl. Fraternities [ F. fraternité, L. fraternitas. ] 1. The state or quality of being fraternal or brotherly; brotherhood. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Men of the same class, profession, occupation, character, or tastes. [ 1913 Webster ]

With what terms of respect knaves and sots will speak of their own fraternity! South. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A social club for male college undergraduates. They often have secret initiation rites, and are named by the use of two or three Greek letters. The corresponding association for women students is called a sorority.
Syn. -- frat. [ WordNet 1.5 +PJC ]