Franciscan Brothers, pious laymen who devote themselves to useful works, such as manual labor schools, and other educational institutions; -- called also Brothers of the Third Order of St. Francis. -- Franciscan Nuns, nuns who follow the rule of St. Francis, esp. those of the Second Order of St. Francis, -- called also Poor Clares or Minoresses. -- Franciscan Tertiaries, the Third Order of St. Francis.

franciscan, n.

A monk or friar of the Order of St. Francis, a large and zealous order of mendicant monks founded in 1209 by St. Francis of Assisi. They are called also Friars Minor; and in England, Gray Friars, because they wear a gray habit. [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

franciscan, n. & adj.
--n. a monk, nun, or sister of an order founded in 1209 by St Francis of Assisi (see also Grey Friar).
--adj. of St Francis or his order.

Etymology

F franciscain f. mod.L Franciscanus f. Franciscus Francis

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THESAURUS

franciscan

Albigensian, Augustinian, Augustinian Hermit, Austin Friar, Benedictine, Bernardine, Black Friar, Black Monk, Bonhomme, Brigittine, Capuchin, Carmelite, Carthusian, Catharist, Cistercian, Cluniac, Conventual, Crossed Friar, Crutched Friar, Dominican, Friar Minor, Gilbertine, Gray Friar, Hospitaler, Jesuit, Loyolite, Marist, Maryknoll, Minorite, Observant, Oratorian, Premonstratensian, Recollect, Recollet, Redemptorist, Sabbatarian, Templar, Trappist, Waldensian, White Friar, abstainer, anchorite, ascetic, begging hermit, bhikshu, dervish, fakir, flagellant, hermit, mendicant, preaching friar, puritan, sannyasi, yogi, yogin

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ROGET THESAURUS

franciscan

Clergy

N clergy, clericals, ministry, priesthood, presbytery, the cloth, the desk, clergyman, divine, ecclesiastic, churchman, priest, presbyter, hierophant, pastor, shepherd, minister, father, father in Christ, padre, abbe, cure, patriarch, reverend, black coat, confessor, dignitaries of the church, ecclesiarch, hierarch, ebdomarius, eminence, reverence, elder, primate, metropolitan, archbishop, bishop, prelate, diocesan, suffragan, dean, subdean, archdeacon, prebendary, canon, rural dean, rector, parson, vicar, perpetual curate, residentiary, beneficiary, incumbent, chaplain, curate, deacon, deaconess, preacher, reader, lecturer, capitular, missionary, propagandist, Jesuit, revivalist, field preacher, churchwarden, sidesman, clerk, precentor, choir, almoner, suisse, verger, beadle, sexton, sacristan, acolyth, acolothyst, acolyte, altar boy, chorister, Pope, Papa, pontiff, high priest, cardinal, ancient flamen, flamen, confessor, penitentiary, spiritual director, cenobite, conventual, abbot, prior, monk, friar, lay brother, beadsman, mendicant, pilgrim, palmer, canon regular, canon secular, Franciscan, Friars minor, Minorites, Observant, Capuchin, Dominican, Carmelite, Augustinian, Gilbertine, Austin Friars, Black Friars, White Friars, Gray Friars, Crossed Friars, Crutched Friars, Bonhomme, Carthusian, Benedictine, Cistercian, Trappist, Cluniac, Premonstatensian, Maturine, Templar, Hospitaler, Bernardine, Lorettine, pillarist, stylite, abbess, prioress, canoness, religieuse, nun, novice, postulant, prophet, priest, high priest, Levite, Rabbi, Rabbin, Rebbe, scribe, mullah, muezzin, ayatollah, ulema, imaum, imam, sheik, sufi, kahin, kassis, mufti, hadji, dervish, fakir, faquir, brahmin, guru, kaziaskier, poonghie, sanyasi, druid, bonze, santon, abdal, Lama, talapoin, caloyer, the Reverend, the very Reverend, the Right Reverend, ordained, in orders, called to the ministry.

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