literature

literature
noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin litteratura writing, grammar, learning, from litteratus Date: 14th century 1. archaic literary culture 2. the production of literary work especially as an occupation 3. a. (1) writings in prose or verse; especially writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest (2) an example of such writings <
what came out, though rarely literature, was always a roaring good story — People
>
b. the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age c. the body of writings on a particular subject <
scientific literature
>
d. printed matter (as leaflets or circulars) <
campaign literature
>
4. the aggregate of a usually specified type of musical compositions

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу
Synonyms:

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Literature — is the art of written works. Literally translated, the word means acquaintance with letters (from Latin littera letter). In Western culture the most basic written literary types include fiction and non fiction.DefinitionsThe word literature has… …   Wikipedia

  • literature — lit‧e‧ra‧ture [ˈlɪtrətʆə ǁ tʆʊr] noun [uncountable] 1. MARKETING information about a product, company etc: • The speed quoted in the sales literature is frankly optimistic. • advertising literature …   Financial and business terms

  • Literature — Lit er*a*ture (l[i^]t [ e]r*[.a]*t[ u]r; 135), n. [F. litt[ e]rature, L. litteratura, literatura, learning, grammar, writing, fr. littera, litera, letter. See {Letter}.] 1. Learning; acquaintance with letters or books. [1913 Webster] 2. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Literature.de — ist ein Internet Portal, das sich auf Informationen aus und über den Literaturbetrieb spezialisiert hat. Nach Angaben der Betreiber zählt es mit über 500.000 Besuchern im Monat zu den reichweitenstärksten Literaturplattformen des… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • literature — [lit′ər ə chər, li′trəchoor΄] n. [ME litterature < OFr < L litteratura < littera, LETTER1] 1. the profession of an author; production of writings, esp. of imaginative prose, verse, etc. 2. a) all writings in prose or verse, esp. those of …   English World dictionary

  • literature — (n.) late 14c., from L. literatura/litteratura learning, a writing, grammar, originally writing formed with letters, from litera/littera letter (see LETTER (Cf. letter) (n.1)). Originally book learning (it replaced O.E. boccræft), the meaning… …   Etymology dictionary

  • literature — I noun belles lettres. books, classics, information, letters, literary output, papers, printed word, publication, reading matter, store of knowledge, treatises, work, works, writings, written language, written word II index publication (printed… …   Law dictionary

  • literature — [n] written matter, both fictional and nonfictional abstract, article, belles lettres, biography, books, brochure, classics, comment, composition, critique, discourse, discussion, disquisition, dissertation, drama, essay, exposition, findings,… …   New thesaurus

  • literature — ► NOUN 1) written works, especially those regarded as having artistic merit. 2) books and writings on a particular subject. 3) leaflets and other material used to give information or advice …   English terms dictionary

  • literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. 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. 2.… …   Universalium

  • literature — noun 1 written works of art ADJECTIVE ▪ classical, contemporary, modern ▪ popular ▪ great ▪ African American, Russian …   Collocations dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”