What does FRIAR mean?

Parts of Speech:

Noun

Definitions:

1. A member of a religious order, especially the mendicant orders of the Franciscans, Dominicans, and Carmelites.
2. A medieval European monk who was a member of one of the mendicant orders.

Pronunciations:

• US: /ˈfraɪər/
• UK: /ˈfraɪə/

Origin and Usage:

The word "friar" comes from the Old French word "frere" which means "brother". It was first used in English in the 13th century to refer to a member of a mendicant religious order. Friars were known for their poverty and their work among the poor. Today, the term is still used to refer to members of religious orders, especially the Franciscans, Dominicans, and Carmelites.

Synonyms:

• Monk
• Brother
• Mendicant
• Religious

Related Words:

• Fable
• Falls
• Fancy
• Farms
• Fault

Example Sentences:

1. The friar spent his life helping the poor and the sick.
2. The friars of the Franciscan order take a vow of poverty.