Brothering

/ˈbrʌðərɪŋ/ verb

Definition

The act of treating someone as a brother, showing brotherly affection, or establishing a brother-like relationship.

Etymology

From the verb 'to brother' (to treat as or become a brother) plus the progressive suffix '-ing'. While 'brother' is primarily a noun, adding '-ing' verbalizes it, a productive process in English.

Kelly Says

English turns nearly anything into a verb—'brother' became 'to brother' became 'brothering,' showing how flexible English is compared to languages with strict rules about what parts of speech can do.

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