The members of a religious sect which first appeared at Plymouth, England, about 1830. They protest against sectarianism, and reject all official ministry or clergy. Also called Brethren, Christian Brethren, Plymouthists, etc. The Darbyites are a division of the Brethren. [1913 Webster]

plymouth brethren, n.pl. a strict Calvinistic religious body formed at Plymouth in Devon c.1830, having no formal creed and no official order of ministers.

brethren, church of the brethren, evangelical united brethren church, plymouth, plymouth colony, plymouth rock