Literal
['lɪt(ə)r(ə)l] or ['lɪtərəl]
Definition
(adj.) without interpretation or embellishment; 'a literal depiction of the scene before him' .
(adj.) limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text; 'a literal translation' .
(adj.) avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis); 'it's the literal truth' .
Inputed by Enoch--From WordNet
Definition
(a.) According to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical; as, the literal meaning of a phrase.
(a.) Following the letter or exact words; not free.
(a.) Consisting of, or expressed by, letters.
(a.) Giving a strict or literal construction; unimaginative; matter-of fast; -- applied to persons.
(n.) Literal meaning.
Typed by Dominic
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. As regards letters.[2]. According to the exact meaning, not figurative.[3]. Following the exact words, not free.
Edited by Emily
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Exact, grammatical, verbal, close, real, positive, actual, plain
ANT:General, substantial, metaphorical, free, spiritual
Inputed by Boris
Definition
adj. according to the letter: plain: not figurative or metaphorical: following the letter or exact meaning word for word.—v.t. Lit′eralise.—ns. Lit′eraliser; Lit′eralism strict adherence to the letter: interpretation that is merely verbal: (art) exact and unimaginative rendering of objects; Lit′eralist; Literal′ity.—adv. Lit′erally.—n. Lit′eralness.
Checker: Nathan
Examples
- Tell him that we yield to his rapacity, as in similar circumstances we should do to that of a literal robber. Walter Scott. Ivanhoe.
- There is a great deal of literal truth in that remark, for it has been the peculiar work of Bryan to express in politics some of that emotion which has made America the home of new religions. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- When I say nothing I mean nothing, in the literal sense of the word. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Only through them, in the literal time sense, will the initial activities reach a satisfactory consummation. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- We should not interpret a Platonic dialogue any more than a poem or a parable in too literal or matter-of-fact a style. Plato. The Republic.
- Mine is but mere literal translation, said Livius. Harriette Wilson. The Memoirs of Harriette Wilson.
- Mr Wegg replied, with literal exactness, that he felt as if he had had a turn. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- In the literal sense, any transfer is miraculous and impossible. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- The continuity of any experience, through renewing of the social group, is a literal fact. John Dewey. Democracy and Education.
- I beg your pardon, it is the literal truth: he asked me more than once, and was as stiff about urging his point as ever you could be. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- St. John's eyes, though clear enough in a literal sense, in a figurative one were difficult to fathom. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- It was not, indeed, anything specific that he feared: there had been a literal truth in his declaration that he did not think anything would happen. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- This exhibited merely the prevailing price of gold; but as its quotations changed from instant to instant, it was in a most literal sense the cynosure of neighboring eyes. Frank Lewis Dyer. Edison, His Life and Inventions.
- When I say, therefore, that Mycroft has better powers of observation than I, you may take it that I am speaking the exact and literal truth. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes.
- Are you so determined, Lizzie--forgive the word I am going to use, for its literal truth--to fly from a lover? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
Inputed by Brice