‖n. pl. [ L. illuminatus. See Illuminate, v. t., and cf. Illuminee. ] Literally, those who are enlightened; -- variously applied as follows: -- [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. Also applied to: (a) An obscure sect of French Familists; (b) The Hesychasts, Mystics, and Quietists; (c) The Rosicrucians. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. Any persons who profess special spiritual or intellectual enlightenment. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Giving or producing light; used for illumination. [ 1913 Webster ]

Illuminating gas. See Gas, n., 2 (a). [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. illuminatio: cf. F. illumination. ] 1. The act of illuminating, or supplying with light; the state of being illuminated. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Festive decoration of houses or buildings with lights. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Adornment of books and manuscripts with colored illustrations. See Illuminate, v. t., 3. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. That which is illuminated, as a house; also, an ornamented book or manuscript. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. That which illuminates or gives light; brightness; splendor; especially, intellectual light or knowledge. [ 1913 Webster ]

The illumination which a bright genius giveth to his work. Felton. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. (Theol.) The special communication of knowledge to the mind by God; inspiration. [ 1913 Webster ]

Hymns and psalms . . . are framed by meditation beforehand, or by prophetical illumination are inspired. Hooker. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Illuminism. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ Cf. F. illuminatif. ] Tending to illuminate or illustrate; throwing light; illustrative. “Illuminative reading.” Carlyle. [ 1913 Webster ]