Etymology
The English term Friar is derived from the Norman French word frere ("brother"), from the Latin frater ("brother"), which was widely used in the Latin New Testament to refer to members of the Christian community.
St. Francis of Assisi called his followers fratres minores, which G. K. Chesterton imprecisely translated as "little brothers." However, the correct interpretation of fratres minores is "lesser brothers," because the Franciscan order stresses minority or humility.
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