frat
UK[fræt]US[fræt]
n
A social organization for male university students; a fraternity.
Morpheme Breakdown
frat
frat
brother
Etymology
The word 'frat' is a clipped form of 'fraternity', which entered English in the 14th century from Old French 'fraternité'. This, in turn, derives from Latin 'fraternitas', meaning 'brotherhood', which is built upon the root 'frater' (brother). The Latin 'frater' can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root bʰréh₂tēr, also meaning 'brother'. The modern, informal term 'frat' specifically refers to the social brotherhoods found on American college campuses, preserving the core concept of a bonded male group while narrowing its application from the broader, more abstract sense of 'brotherhood'.
Analysis
Structure: frat (brother)
frat (Latin, meaning 'brother', functional role: root)
Examples
He decided to rush a frat during his freshman year.
The frat house was known for its lively social events.
Membership in a frat can provide a strong network of friends and alumni.