1(in the Bible) a member of an Israelite family, descended from Rechab, who refused to drink wine or live in houses (Jer. 35).

1. 1.1 A member of the Independent Order of Rechabites, a benefit society of teetotallers, founded in 1835.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • Between his blacksmithing and mining interest Peter Doig also found time to become a member of the Independent Order of Rechabites and preside over many of its later meetings at the ‘Star of the North’.
   • The main societies in Australia included the Australian Natives Association, Buffaloes, Druids, Foresters, Free Gardeners, Freemasons, Hibernians, Oddfellows, Protestant Alliance, Rechabites, and Sons of Temperance.
   • Development of a different nature was the establishment in July 1869 of the Blinman Lodge of the Ancient Order of Forresters with eleven members, followed in November by the Independent Order of Rechabites.