Member of one of four (male) *mendicant orders who lived in the world, outside the monastery, whose purpose was to preach, living off donations. This was resented by some who thought such money should more properly be given to the local parish church. By living in the world they were bypassing the earlier idea that monks should be of fixed abode. In time they became rich, receiving gifts from wealthy sinners, losing their moral edge, even though they were not burdened by the extensive properties as monasteries were. The Franciscans (first arrived in England in 1224) and Dominicans (first arrived in England in 1221 at Oxford) were evangelists from c. 1220, esp. in the towns. [< Fr. frere, fredre = brother] -
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.