1. members of various historical secret societies claiming special enlightenment or knowledge, especially the Bavarian Illuminati of the 18th century
Usage: historical
2. people who claim to possess special spiritual or intellectual illumination

Examples

• The illuminists of 18th-century Bavaria sought to promote reason and oppose superstition.
• Conspiracy theorists often blame illuminists for various world events.
• The professor studied the writings of medieval illuminists and their mystical beliefs.
• Some illuminists claimed to have direct communication with divine beings.
• The secret society was rumored to be composed of illuminists seeking hidden knowledge.
• Historical illuminists often faced persecution from religious and political authorities.