illuminato

Member of a group of people claiming to be particularly enlightened. Religious sects and secret societies have at various times called themselves illuminati, and there are persistent myths about such groups masterminding world events.

The Spanish Illuminati (aluminados) had beliefs derived from Gnosticism and were suppressed by the Inquisition during the 16th century. They also established themselves in Picardy and elsewhere in France during the 17th century, and lasted in isolated bodies till the end of the 18th century. A secret masonic society with republican views was formed 1776 by Adam Weishaupt, professor of canon law at Ingolstadt, Bavaria. This group, called Illuminati because they claimed exclusive right to the illumination of Jesus, was anti-Jesuit, and was suppressed 1785. The Rosicrucians have sometimes been called illuminati.