[OE. fóster-bróðor, f. FOSTER sb.1 So ON. fóstbróðir.] A male child nursed at the same breast as, or reared together with, another of different parentage.

1

a. 1000.  Ags. Voc., in Wr.-Wülcker, 268. Alumnus, foster-broþor.

2

1470–85.  Malory, Arthur, I. vi. Ye wille make my sone your foster broder Syre Kay Senceall of alle your landes.

3

1653.  H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., liv. (1663), 212. The Chaumigrem his Foster-brother was Commander in Chief.

4

1752.  Fielding, Amelia, Wks. 1775, X. 78. He had been her foster brother, and she had a great opinion of his integrity.

5

1828.  Scott, F. M. Perth, xxxiv. On the right of the array of Clan Quhele, the Chief, Eachin MacIan, placed himself in the second line betwixt two of his foster-brothers.

6

  transf. and fig.  1587.  Fleming, Conin. Holinshed, III. 1320/1. Foure of fansies fellowes, fosterbrothers to desire, and drie nurst by despaire.

7

1610.  Beaum. & Fl., Maid’s Trag., IV. i.

        Though I am tame and bred vp with my wrongs,
Which are my foster-brothers.

8

a. 1735.  Arbuthnot, Misc. Wks. (1751), I. 195. A certain Person of Distinction purchased his whole Cargo, the Bear with her Cubs and their Foster-Brother.

9

1860.  All Year Round, No. 63. 295. The nestling cuckoo ungratefully ejects his legitimate foster-brethren out of the family nest.

10

  Hence Foster-brotherhood.

11

1886.  Athenæum, 6 Feb., 194/1. A more picturesque story of foster-brotherhood and second sight was never imagined, and the Society for Psychical Research should certainly not neglect it.

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