1. a person who whips or scourges themselves or others, especially as a form of religious penance or discipline
Usage: historical; religious context
2. a person who practices or advocates flagellation
Usage: formal

Examples

• Medieval flagellators believed that physical suffering could atone for sin.
• The monastery housed a small group of flagellators who practiced self-mortification.
• Historical records describe flagellators moving through towns during times of plague.
• Some religious orders included flagellators among their members.
• The practice of flagellators declined significantly after the Renaissance.