- Literally, those who are enlightened - 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. - 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. - 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. - An obscure sect of French Familists; - The Hesychasts, Mystics, and Quietists; - The Rosicrucians. - Any persons who profess special spiritual or
intellectual enlightenment.
Definition
[ v. t.]