Confraternity as a collective noun

Confraternity is used as a collective noun in phrases like Confraternity of Smokers .

A confraternity is a religious organization or association of individuals joined together by a common purpose, specifically of a fraternal, charitable or pious nature. While the term confraternity can be used to refer to a specific, well-defined group, it is also commonly utilized as a collective noun to represent a broader range of similar organizations and gatherings. In this context, examples of collective nouns using the term confraternity would include: 1. Assembly of Confraternities: This denotes the coming together of various confraternities, reflecting unity, harmony, and a collective effort towards achieving a shared objective, religious devotion, or welfare of society. 2. Network of Confraternities: This collective term emphasizes the interconnectedness and collaboration between different confraternities that cooperate, communicate, and support each other. It represents a global or regional bond of like-minded groups striving towards their common mission. 3. Confederation of Confraternities: This phrase suggests a high-level alliance or federation of distinct confraternities working together to enhance their impact, sharing resources, strategies, and knowledge to address larger and more challenging goals. 4. Order of Confraternities: This expression characterizes a structured and hierarchical organization of confraternities whereby there is an established system of ranks, roles, and obligations among the affiliated groups, unified under a central authority or mentor. 5. Federation of Confraternities: This term indicates cooperative associations of confraternities that have joined forces to preserve mutual interests, amplify their voices, and advocate for common causes in society or within the ecclesiastical framework. In summary, while a confraternity can be identified as a specific group, the use of the term as a collective noun expands its scope to represent a wider spectrum of related entities, expressing the collaborative spirit, synergy, and commonality that can exist among different confraternities committed to their shared religious, charitable, or pious goals.