Obs. [ad. L. Borboritæ, Gr. βορβορῖται, f. Gr. βόρβορ-ος filth.] One of the names, or nick-names, given to certain Ophitic Gnostics, referring, according to Epiphanius, to their unclean living (but various other explanations are offered); in 16–17th c. used as a term of reproach in the sense of ‘One who holds filthy or immoral doctrines,’ and specifically applied to a branch of the Mennonites.
1659. Gauden, Tears of Ch., 572 (D.). The whole Reformed Church of England … torne and bespattered by those Borborites, those uncleane Spirits.
1685. Baxter, Paraphr. James v. 19. Borborites or Gnosticks are not the less such for … being call’d Bishops.
1882–3. Schaff, trans. Herzog’s Encycl. Rel. Knowl., I. 313. Borborites or Borborians.
