Final answer:
The term Quakers refers to a Christian denomination, the Society of Friends, that emerged in the 1640s and believes in direct revelation from God, rejects sacraments and clergy, and advocates for social equality and nonviolence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best definition for the middle colony term Quakers is a Christian denomination that believes in direct revelation from God. The Quakers, or the Society of Friends, were founded in the 1640s in England by George Fox. They saw religion as a personal matter, where the Holy Spirit instructed each individual. The distinct beliefs of the Quakers included a rejection of sacraments, liturgies, and paid ministers, and instead, they would meet in quiet contemplation until moved to speak by the Holy Spirit. They strongly opposed tithes, bearing arms, taking oaths, and any markers of social hierarchy, asserting a radical form of social equality. In the American colonies, the Quakers were notable for their peaceful relations with Native Americans, their commitment to religious tolerance, economic savvy, and radical egalitarian social views, including the equality of men and women within the church and the early advocacy against slavery.