On Tue, 26 Nov 2002, H. T. wrote: #series to me, before it was my (emmm, my paternal? blood-related? actual? -- #someone please give me a better word for this, as I am at a loss right now) #brother when I was first beginning to read "darker" (to use a word my father What concept are you trying to express? If you and he have both parents in common, he is your brother, plain and simple. If you want, you can specify "genetic" brother to distinguish >from adoptive or foster or metaphorical (as in, e.g., "all men are..." or "blood ...") brother. If you and he have only one parent in common, he is your half-brother. You can say "maternal" or "paternal" half-brother to be specific. My extended family has some unusual extensions, like our foster son's (maternal adoptive) half-brother's (maternal) half-brother. Foster son calls this relative his quarter-brother. -- Mark A. Mandel