illuminati

Definitions

1. 1.(Eccl. Hist.) Members of a sect which sprung up in Spain about the year 1575. Their principal doctrine was, that, by means of prayer, they had attained to so perfect a state as to have no need of ordinances, sacraments, good works, etc.; -- called also Alumbrados, Perfectibilists, etc.
2. 2.(Mod. Hist.) Members of certain associations in Modern Europe, who combined to promote social reforms, by which they expected to raise men and society to perfection, esp. of one originated in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt, professor of canon law at Ingolstadt, which spread rapidly for a time, but ceased after a few years.
3. 3.Also applied to: (a) An obscure sect of French Familists. (b) The Hesychasts, Mystics, and Quietists; (c) The Rosicrucians.
4. 4.Any persons who profess special spiritual or intellectual enlightenment.

Source: Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913 edition (public domain, via GCIDE / Project Gutenberg).

Synonyms

Related questions

• What does "illuminati" mean?
• What is another word for "illuminati"?

Reverse-dictionary questions

Definition-first questions whose answer is illuminati.

• What is also applied to: (a) An obscure sect of French Familists. (b) The Hesychasts, Mystics, and Quietists; (c) The Rosicrucians called?
• What is any persons who profess special spiritual or intellectual enlightenment called?