Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word
lay brother. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
lay brother, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
lay brother in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
lay brother you have here. The definition of the word
lay brother will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
lay brother, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Noun
lay brother (plural lay brothers or lay brethren)
- (Christianity) A layman who is a member of a religious congregation or monastic order without the intention to become a priest.
- Synonym: conversus
In feudal days lay brothers were usually uneducated commoners, who did most menial, manual labor while the learned priestly monks held the more spiritual jobs.
- 2010, WHY A LAY BROTHER?, Franciscan Friars
- The male branch of the Franciscan family, a community of Lesser Brothers, is made up of men who are both clergy and consecrated laity traditionally called "lay brothers".
Translations
a layman who is a member of a brotherhood without the intention to become a priest