Illuminatus
English
editEtymology
editFrom Latin illūminātus.
Noun
editIlluminatus (plural Illuminati or Illuminatuses)
- A member of any of various societies, sects or other people claiming religious or intellectual enlightenment.
- A member of the early church who had received baptism and been given a lighted taper as a symbol of the spiritual illumination they had received.
- A member of a Spanish sect of the sixteenth century, who believed that, by means of prayer, they had attained so perfect a state as to have no need of ordinances, sacraments, good works, etc.; the Alumbrados or Perfectibilists.
- A member of certain associations in Europe who combined to promote social reform in pursuit of perfection; especially one originated in 1776 by Adam Weishaupt.
- A member of an obscure sect of French familists.
- A member of the Hesychasts, Mystics, and Quietists.
- A member of the Rosicrucians.
- A member of an alleged global, elite, secret society which has as its ultimate objective the subjugation of humanity (world domination or New World Order).
- The methods of control used by "Ming the Merciless, Ruler of the Universe" in the 1980 film Flash Gordon are a metaphor for what some perceive to be the influence of the Illuminati on the real world.