1
: belief in or claim to a personal enlightenment not accessible to humankind in general
2
Illuminism : beliefs or claims viewed as forming doctrine or principles of Illuminati

Word History

Etymology

probably borrowed from French illuminisme, from illuminé "one who has undergone illumination" (noun derivative from past participle of illuminer "to illumine") + -isme -ism

First Known Use

1798, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of illuminism was in 1798

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Cite this Entry

“Illuminism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/illuminism. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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