E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Friars [brothers].
Applied to the four great religious orders—Dominicans, Franciscans, Augustinians, and Carmelites. Later, a fifth order was added—that of the Trinitarians. The first two were called Black and Grey friars, the Carmelites were called White friars, and the Trinitarians Crutched friars (q.v.).
