Standard Lemma guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
noun
Literal interpretation or understanding; adherence to the exact letter or precise significance, as in interpreting or translating.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
The style of art portraying a subject as literally and accurately as possible.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: uncountable, usually
Topics: art, arts
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
the doctrine of realistic (literal) portrayal in art or literature
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: doctrine, philosophy, philosophical system, school of thought, ism
noun
a disposition to interpret statements in their literal sense
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: inclination, disposition, tendency
History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h2leyH-der. Old Latin leitera Latin līterader.? Proto-Hellenic *diphthérā? Ancient Greek διφθέρᾱ (diphthérā)bor. Etruscan [Term?]bor.? Latin littera Proto-Indo-European *h2el-der.? Proto-Italic *-ālis Latin -ālis Late Latin litterālisbor. Old French literalbor. Middle English literal English literal Proto-Indo-European *-id- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *-idyéti Proto-Hellenic *-íďďō Ancient Greek -ῐ́ζω (-ĭ́zō) Proto-Indo-European *-mos Proto-Indo-European *-mós Ancient Greek -μός (-mós) Ancient Greek -ισμός (-ismós)der. English -ism English literalism From literal + -ism.
Across languages
6 source translations are retained for this English entry.
