Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Illuminati
‖
Il-luˊmi-na′ti
,Noun.
pl.
Literally, those who are enlightened
; – variously applied as follows: –1.
(Eccl.)
Persons in the early church who had received baptism; in which ceremony a lighted taper was given them, as a symbol of the spiritual illumination they has received by that sacrament.
2.
(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. 3.
(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.
4.
Also applied to: (a)
An obscure sect of French Familists;
(b)
The Hesychasts, Mystics, and Quietists;
(c)
The Rosicrucians.
5.
Any persons who profess special spiritual or intellectual enlightenment.
Webster 1828 Edition
Illuminati
ILLUMINA'TI
,Noun.
1.
The name of a sect of heretics, who sprung up in Spain about the year 1575, and who afterward appeared in France. Their principal doctrine was, that by means of a sublime manner of prayer, they had attained to so perfect a state as to have no need of ordinances, sacraments and good works.2.
The name given to certain associations of men in modern Europe, who combined to overthrow the existing religious institutions, and substitute reason, by which they expected to raise men and society to perfection.