Emily Dickinson Lexicon

FRA-TERN'I-TY, n. [L. fraternitas.]

1. The state or quality of a brother; brotherhood.
2. A body of men associated for their common interest or pleasure; a company; a brotherhood; a society; as, the fraternity of monks.
3. Men of the same class, profession, occupation or character. With what terms of respect knaves and sots will speak of their own fraternity. South.