sisterhood
Meaning
the close relationship and solidarity among women, especially based on shared experiences, concerns, or support.
a feeling of kinship, loyalty, and fellowship among women.
an association, society, or community of women linked by a common interest, religion, or purpose.
Structure
Usage
the conference fostered a powerful sense of sisterhood among the attendees.
she found support and understanding within the sisterhood of the women's literary club.
their sisterhood was forged through years of shared struggle and mutual encouragement.
Etymology
the word 'sisterhood' is a transparent compound formed within english. its first element, 'sister', descends from the proto-germanic 'swestēr', which itself derives from the proto-indo-European 'swésōr', a fundamental kinship term for a female sibling. the second element, '-hood', originates from the old english suffix '-hād', which denoted a specific state, order, or condition of being. by combining these native elements, 'sisterhood' was formed to conceptually encapsulate the abstract state or quality of being like a sister, extending from literal familial bonds to metaphorical bonds of solidarity, shared identity, and collective association among women.
Analysis
- sister: from old english 'sweostor, swustor', of germanic origin; related to dutch 'zuster' and german 'schwester'. functions as the base noun denoting a female sibling. - hood: from old english '-hād', originally meaning 'person, condition, quality'. a noun-forming suffix indicating a state, condition, or character.