2. (Fine Arts) The tendency or disposition to represent objects faithfully, without abstraction, conventionalities,
or idealization.
Literalist
(Lit"er*al*ist), n. One who adheres to the letter or exact word; an interpreter according to the
letter.
Literality
(Lit`er*al"i*ty) n. [Cf. F. littéralité.] The state or quality of being literal. Sir T. Browne.
Literalization
(Lit`er*al*i*za"tion) n. The act of literalizing; reduction to a literal meaning.
Literalize
(Lit"er*al*ize) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Literalized (-izd); p. pr. & vb. n. Literalizing ] To make
literal; to interpret or put in practice according to the strict meaning of the words; — opposed to spiritualize; as,
to literalize Scripture.
Literalizer
(Lit"er*al*i`zer) n. A literalist.
Literally
(Lit"er*al*ly), adv.
1. According to the primary and natural import of words; not figuratively; as, a man and his wife can not
be literally one flesh.
2. With close adherence to words; word by word.
So wild and ungovernable a poet can not be translated literally.
Dryden. Literalness
(Lit"er*al*ness), n. The quality or state of being literal; literal import.
Literary
(Lit"er*a*ry) a. [L. litterarius, literarius, fr. littera, litera, a letter: cf. F. littéraire. See Letter.]
1. Of or pertaining to letters or literature; pertaining to learning or learned men; as, literary fame; a literary
history; literary conversation.
He has long outlived his century, the term commonly fixed as the test of literary merit.
Johnson. 2. Versed in, or acquainted with, literature; occupied with literature as a profession; connected with literature
or with men of letters; as, a literary man.
In the literary as well as fashionable world.
Mason. Literary property. (a) Property which consists in written or printed compositions. (b) The exclusive
right of publication as recognized and limited by law.
Literate
(Lit"er*ate) a. [L. litteratus, literatus. See Letter.] Instructed in learning, science, or literature; learned; lettered.
The literate now chose their emperor, as the military chose theirs.
Landor. Literate
(Lit"er*ate), n.
1. One educated, but not having taken a university degree; especially, such a person who is prepared to
take holy orders. [Eng.]
2. A literary man.
Literati
(||Lit`e*ra"ti) n. pl. [See Literatus.] Learned or literary men. See Literatus.
Shakespearean commentators, and other literati.
Craik.
