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fray

friar

noun FRAY Rare
People & Society Religion

Origin: Apocopated form of fraile, from Latin frater (brother).

Usage Note

Fray is an apocopated title used before the name of a friar (e.g. Fray Junípero Serra); the full form is fraile. It is always used before a proper name and is never pluralised as a title. Do not confuse with the English word 'fray' (a fight or fraying cloth), which is unrelated.

Examples

"Fray Bartolomé defendió los derechos de los indígenas."

Natural Translation

Friar Bartolomé defended the rights of indigenous people.

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