Definition of "flagellants" [flagellants]

• Plural form of flagellant. (noun)

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• "The flagellants were a phenomenon of seething, popular passion, outside of the church and unapproved by its authority."
• "Soldiers were intent on crusades into the Holy Land to capture the city of Jerusalem and to rescue the tomb of the Savior from the hands of the heathen, and fanatical bands called "flagellants" were soon to appear throughout Europe -- men and women who scourged each other with whips in public places until they fell down fainting from pain and exhaustion, believing that this practice was welcome in the eyes of the"
• "Southwest of Atlixco is Huaquechula, as well known for its Día de los Muertos celebration as it is for its Gothic style monastery, which could easily serve as the setting for a vampire movie, complete with murals of black-hooded flagellants and medieval Spanish iconography."