Du*kho*bors" (?), Du*kho*bor"tsy (?) , n. pl. [Russ. dukhobortsy spirit wrestlers; dukh spirit + bortsy wrestlers.]
A Russian religious sect founded about the middle of the 18th century at Kharkov. They believe that Christ was wholly human, but that his soul reappears from time to time in mortals. They accept the Ten Commandments and the "useful" portions of the Bible, but deny the need of rulers, priests, or churches, and have no confessions, icons, or marriage ceremonies. They are communistic, opposed to any violence, and unwilling to use the labor of animals. Driven out of Russia proper, many have emigrated to Cyprus and Canada. See Raskolnik, below.
© Webster 1913