Quaker

[kwey-ker]

noun

1. a popular name for a member of the Society of Friends.

Quaker

/ ˈkweɪkə /

noun

1. a member of the Religious Society of Friends, a Christian sect founded by George Fox about 1650, whose central belief is the doctrine of the Inner Light. Quakers reject sacraments, ritual, and formal ministry, hold meetings at which any member may speak, and have promoted many causes for social reform

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating the Religious Society of Friends or its religious beliefs or practices

Quaker

1. A member of the Religious Society of Friends. The Quakers are a group of Christians (see also Christian) who use no scripture and believe in great simplicity in daily life and in worship. Their services consist mainly of silent meditation.

Quakers have traditionally been committed to pacifism.

Pennsylvania was settled by a group of Quakers fleeing religious persecution.

Other Word Forms

• Quakerism noun
• Quakerish adjective
• Quakeress noun
• anti-Quaker adjective
• Quakerlike adjective
• non-Quaker noun
• non-Quakerish adjective
• pro-Quaker adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of Quaker¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; quake + -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of Quaker¹

C17: originally a derogatory nickname, alluding either to their alleged ecstatic fits, or to George Fox's injunction to " quake at the word of the Lord"

Example Sentences

This bold diagonal, cut through the prim Quaker street grid, produced a great many awkwardly shaped blocks, including the pointy trapezoid between the Parkway and the Vine Street Expressway that houses Calder Gardens.

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Earhart was full of mischief and adventure, a natural leader with a modesty instilled by her mother, who was prone to invoking her Quaker background when it suited her.

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Concerns have been raised about funeral poverty, with charity Quaker Social Action saying the financial stress can "rob people of their ability to grieve".

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B grew up in this part of the country, and she moved to live closer to her doctors and to be buried by the Quakers.

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The arrest of six Youth Demand supporters at a Quaker meeting house has been condemned by the faith group as an "aggressive violation".

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Related Words

• shock 
• temblor 
• upheaval