Illuminatus

plural Illuminati · plural Illuminatuses

1. A member of any of various societies, sects or other people claiming religious or intellectual enlightenment.
   1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.
   4. A member of an obscure sect of French familists.
   5. A member of the Hesychasts, Mystics, and Quietists.
   6. A member of the Rosicrucians.
2. 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.