or FRIFR, by the Latins called frater, the Italians fra, and the French frere, that is, brother: a term common to the monks of all orders; founded on this, that there is a kind of fraternity or brotherhood presumed between the several religious persons of the same convent or monastery.

Friars are generally distinguished into these four principal branches, viz. 1. Minors, grey friars, or franciscans. 2. Augustines. 3 Dominicans, or black friars. 4. White friars or carmelites. From these four the rest of the orders descend. See FRANCISCANS, AUGUSTINES, &c.

a more peculiar sense, is restrained to such monks as are not priests; for those in orders are usually dignified with the appellation of father.