Legal Definitions - frater

Definition: Frater (fray-tər) is a Latin term used in Roman law to refer to a brother. There are different types of fraters:

• Frater consanguineus: A brother or half-brother who shares the same father.
• Frater germanus: A brother who shares both parents in common.
• Frater nutricius: A foster brother who was suckled by the same wet nurse.
• Frater uterinus: A brother or half-brother who shares the same mother.

For example, if John and Mary have a son named Tom, and John has another son named Mike from a previous marriage, Tom and Mike are frater consanguineus. If John and Mary have another son named Peter, and he shares both parents with Tom, they are frater germanus. If Tom and Peter were both nursed by the same wet nurse, they are frater nutricius. If John has a son named Jack from a previous marriage, and Mary has a son named Joe from a previous marriage, Jack and Joe are frater uterinus.

These examples illustrate the different types of fraters based on their relationship with their parents and each other.