ˈshfeŋkˌfeldə(r), ˈshve- noun
( -s )
Usage: usually capitalized
Etymology: German, from Kaspar Schwenkfeld died 1561 German Silesian nobleman and Protestant mystic + German -er
: a follower of Kaspar Schwenkfeld who advanced the cause of the Reformation, encouraged laymen to read the Bible, advocated the separation of church and state, and founded small spiritual communities emphasizing a somewhat mystical interpretation of the Christian faith ; especially : a member of the present-day Schwenkfelder Church located in Pennsylvania and composed principally of descendants of Schwenkfelders from Europe