Proper noun

1. Any of various societies, sects or other people claiming religious or intellectual enlightenment
2. 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, Rules 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.