Doukhobor

[ doo-koh-bawr ]

noun

1. a member of an independent religious sect originating in Russia in the 18th century, believing in the supreme authority of the inner voice and in the transmigration of souls, rejecting the divinity of Christ and the establishing of churches, and expressing opposition to civil authority by refusing to pay taxes, do military service, etc.

Doukhobor

/ ˈduːkəʊˌbɔː /

noun

1. a member of a Russian sect of Christians that originated in the 18th century. In the late 19th century a large minority emigrated to W Canada, where most Doukhobors now live

Word History and Origins

Origin of Doukhobor¹

1875–80; < Russian dukhobór, dukhobórets, Old Russian dukhoborĭtsĭ literally, one who fights against the Holy Ghost, a calque of Late Greek pneumatomáchos (compare Russian dukh spirit, boréts wrestler); originally a derisive term, later adopted by the sect itself

Word History and Origins

Origin of Doukhobor¹

from Russian dukhoborcy spirit wrestler, from dukh spirit + borcy wrestler