literature

literature
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 "literary production or work" is first attested 1779 in Johnson's "Lives of the English Poets" (he didn't include this definition in his dictionary, however); that of "body of writings from a period or people" is first recorded 1812.
Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree. [Ezra Pound, "ABC of Reading"]
Meaning "the whole of the writing on a particular subject" is from 1860; sense of "printed matter generally" is from 1895. The Latin word also is the source of Sp. litteratura, It. letteratura, Ger. Literatur.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • 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 — 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

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