Obs. Forms: 1 bróðorrǽden, 2–3 broþerreddene, 4 broþerrede, (5–6 brothered(e). [OE. f. broðor BROTHER + -rǽden condition, state: see -RED, and cf. kindred. Apparently in its later ME. form brotherred, brothered, it was merged in brotherhed, earlier var. of BROTHERHOOD.] = BROTHERHOOD.
(The quotations after 1400 illustrate the merging of brotherred in brotherhed.)
c. 1000. Ælfric, Gram., vi. 17. Fraternitas, broðorræden.
c. 1175. Lamb. Hom., 41. Leofe breoðre haldeð broþerreddene eow bitwenen.
1340. Ayenb., 110. He heþ þe broþerrede and part and uelaȝrede and riȝt and ine alle þe guode dedes. Ibid., 146. Ane broþerhede gostlich þet is worþ betere þanne þe broþerrede ulesslich.
1464. Mann. & Househ. Exp., 272. The brodered of the ȝeld of Seynte Iohnes.
1513–4. Act 5 Hen. VIII., vii. The Felishippe and Brodered of the blessed Trinite.
1542. Udall, Erasm. Apoph., 340 b. A certain brethreed which vsed to … gather together at his hous.
