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cofradía

brotherhood; guild; confraternity

noun koh-frah-DEE-ah Rare
People & Society Religion

Origin: From Medieval Latin confratria, from con- + frater (brother).

Usage Note

Cofradía most famously refers to the religious brotherhoods that organise Spain's Semana Santa (Holy Week) processions — each cofradía owns a float (paso) and its members walk in traditional robes. More broadly it can mean any guild, fraternal association, or trade brotherhood. In Latin America the word also appears in Afro-Caribbean religious contexts.

Examples

"La cofradía desfiló por las calles durante la Semana Santa."

Natural Translation

The brotherhood paraded through the streets during Holy Week.

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