illuminati |iˌloōməˈnätē|
plural noun
people claiming to possess special enlightenment or knowledge of something : some mysterious standard known only to the illuminati of the organization.
• ( Illuminati) a sect of 16th-century Spanish heretics who claimed special religious enlightenment.
• ( Illuminati) a Bavarian secret society founded in 1776, organized like the Freemasons.
DERIVATIVES
illuminism |iˈloōməˌnizəm| noun
illuminist |iˈloōmənist| noun
ORIGIN late 16th cent.: plural of Italian illuminato or Latin illuminatus ‘enlightened’ past participle of illuminare (see illuminate)