literature
writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays.
the entire body of writings of a specific language, period, people, etc.: the literature of England.
the writings dealing with a particular subject: the literature of ornithology.
the profession of a writer or author.
literary work or production.
any kind of printed material, as circulars, leaflets, or handbills: literature describing company products.
Archaic. polite learning; literary culture; appreciation of letters and books.
Origin of literature
1synonym study For literature
Other words from literature
- pre·lit·er·a·ture, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use literature in a sentence
Over here is Alexander, who wants to embrace all literatures, all peoples.
Adventures with an Extreme Polyglot: Excerpt from 'Babel No More' | Michael Erard | January 10, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTShe grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, majored in Slavic Languages and Literatures at Princeton University, and is fluent in Russian.
She grew up in Tulsa, Okla., majored in Slavic Languages and Literatures at Princeton University, and is fluent in Russian.
The practical difficulties are very great; two literatures are more than most men can become familiar with.
Frdric Mistral | Charles Alfred DownerHe developed a separate religion, a separate language, separate literatures and arts, separate vices and virtues.
Love's Pilgrimage | Upton Sinclair
Interesting parallels have been gleaned from various religious literatures in Europe, Egypt, India, and elsewhere.
Myths of Babylonia and Assyria | Donald A. MackenzieThe casting of lots to discover the Jonah of a ship is a feature common to many literatures.
Ballads of Mystery and Miracle and Fyttes of Mirth | Frank SidgwickThis underlying unity gave more harmony to Jewish literature than is possessed by many literatures more distinctively national.
Chapters on Jewish Literature | Israel Abrahams
British Dictionary definitions for literature
/ (ˈlɪtərɪtʃə, ˈlɪtrɪ-) /
written material such as poetry, novels, essays, etc, esp works of imagination characterized by excellence of style and expression and by themes of general or enduring interest
the body of written work of a particular culture or people: Scandinavian literature
written or printed matter of a particular type or on a particular subject: scientific literature; the literature of the violin
printed material giving a particular type of information: sales literature
the art or profession of a writer
obsolete learning
Origin of literature
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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