Definition

1. Noun:
   • Freemasons collectively: The term refers to the worldwide fraternal organization and its members as a group. It denotes the institutions, practices, and the collective body of individuals belonging to the Free and Accepted Masons.
   • A natural or instinctive fellowship: This sense describes a feeling of mutual understanding, sympathy, and camaraderie that arises spontaneously between people who share similar interests, experiences, or professions.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Organization):

  • The principles of freemasonry emphasize brotherly love, relief, and truth.
  • He has studied the history and symbolism of freemasonry for decades.

• Noun (Fellowship):

  • There was an instant freemasonry among the veteran sailors when they met.
  • The freemasonry of the acting profession meant they could understand each other's struggles without words.

Advanced Usage

• "the freemasonry of [a group]": Used to describe the particular bond shared by members of a specific profession, hobby, or social set.
  • She appreciated the quiet freemasonry of the library, where serious readers respected each other's silence.

Variants and Related Words

• Freemason (n): A member of the fraternal order of Freemasonry.

  • He is a Freemason and attends lodge meetings regularly.

• Masonic (adj): Pertaining to Freemasons or Freemasonry.

  • The building features several Masonic symbols in its architecture.

Synonyms

• Brotherhood: An association, society, or community of people linked by a common interest, religion, or trade (closer to the first sense).
• Camaraderie: Mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together (closer to the second sense).
• Fellowship: Friendly association, especially with people who share one's interests.

Idioms and Phrases

• While there are no direct phrasal verbs, the term itself is often used in idiomatic constructions to imply a secretive or exclusive bond.
  • They communicated with a kind of professional freemasonry that excluded outsiders.

Noun

1. Freemasons collectively
2. a natural or instinctive fellowship between people of similar interests
   • he enjoyed the freemasonry of the Press