literature

[ lit-er-uh-cher, -choor, li-truh- ]

noun

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. the entire body of writings of a specific language, period, people, etc.:

   the literature of England.

3. the writings dealing with a particular subject:

   the literature of ornithology.

4. the profession of a writer or author.
5. literary work or production.
6. any kind of printed material, as circulars, leaflets, or handbills:

   literature describing company products.

7. Archaic. polite learning; literary culture; appreciation of letters and books.

literature

/ ˈlɪtərɪtʃə; ˈlɪtrɪ- /

noun

1. 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
2. the body of written work of a particular culture or people

   Scandinavian literature

3. written or printed matter of a particular type or on a particular subject

   the literature of the violin

   scientific literature

4. printed material giving a particular type of information

   sales literature

5. the art or profession of a writer
6. obsolete.
   learning

Other Words From

• pre·liter·a·ture noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of literature¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English litterature, from Latin litterātūra “grammar;” literate, -ure

Word History and Origins

Origin of literature¹

C14: from Latin litterātūra writing; see letter

Synonym Study

Literature, belles-lettres, letters refer to artistic writings worthy of being remembered. In the broadest sense, literature includes any type of writings on any subject: the literature of medicine; usually, however, it means the body of artistic writings of a country or period that are characterized by beauty of expression and form and by universality of intellectual and emotional appeal: English literature of the 16th century. Belles-lettres is a more specific term for writings of a light, elegant, or excessively refined character: His talent is not for scholarship but for belles-lettres. Letters (rare today outside of certain fixed phrases) refers to literature as a domain of study or creation: a man of letters.

Related Words

• article
• biography
• brochure
• composition
• drama
• essay
• history
• information
• leaflet
• lore
• novel
• pamphlet
• poetry
• prose
• research
• story