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illiteracy

 - 2 dictionary results

il⋅lit⋅er⋅a⋅cy

  [i-lit-er-uh-see]
Use illiteracy in a Sentence
–noun, plural -cies for 3.
1. a lack of ability to read and write.
2. the state of being illiterate; lack of any or enough education.
3. a mistake in writing or speaking, felt to be characteristic of an illiterate or semiliterate person: a letter that was full of illiteracies.
Origin:
1650–60; illiter(ate) + -acy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To illiteracy
il·lit·er·a·cy   (ĭ-lĭt'ər-ə-sē)   
n.   pl. il·lit·er·a·cies

  1. The condition of being unable to read and write.

  2. An error, as in writing or speech, made by or thought to be characteristic of one who is illiterate. See Usage Note at literate.

  3. The condition or quality of being ignorant or unknowledgeable in a particular subject or field: cultural illiteracy; scientific illiteracy.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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