[lit-er-uh-liz-uh
m] 
| 1. | adherence to the exact letter or the literal sense, as in translation or interpretation: to interpret the law with uncompromising literalism. |
| 2. | a peculiarity of expression resulting from this: The work is studded with these obtuse literalisms. |
| 3. | exact representation or portrayal, without idealization, as in art or literature: a literalism more appropriate to journalism than to the novel. |