freemasonry

American  

[free-mey-suhn-ree] / ˈfriˌmeɪ sən ri /

noun

1. secret or tacit brotherhood; fellowship; fundamental bond or rapport.

   the freemasonry of those who hunger for knowledge.

2. (initial capital letter) the principles, practices, and institutions of Freemasons.

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Freemasonry ¹ British  

/ ˈfriːˌmeɪsənrɪ /

noun

1. the institutions, rites, practices, etc, of Freemasons

2. Freemasons collectively

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freemasonry ² British  

/ ˈfriːˌmeɪsənrɪ /

noun

1. natural or tacit sympathy and understanding

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Etymology

Origin of freemasonry

First recorded in 1400–50, freemasonry is from the late Middle English word fremasonry. See Freemason, -ry

Example Sentences

Temptingly, he explained that “the theater, behind the scenes, has an emotional freemasonry of its own, certainly franker and arguably wholesomer than the stiffness of suburban society outside.”

From New York Times

A retired prosecutor who chased him for years blames unspecified freemasonry circles.

From Reuters

Now research from the University of Edinburgh has revealed the origins of the Hogmanay tradition are connected to freemasonry.

From BBC

The new standards apply in England and Wales, where the United Grand Lodge of England has jurisdiction over traditional freemasonry, with about 200,000 members.

From New York Times

Prof Steve Murdoch, from the University of St Andrews, says: "They are often seen as the founding documentation for freemasonry in Scotland."

From BBC