First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
literature
noun lit·er·a·ture \ˈli-tə-rə-ˌchu̇r, ˈli-trə-ˌchu̇r, ˈli-tə(r)-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\
: written works (such as poems, plays, and novels) that are considered to be very good and to have lasting importance
: books, articles, etc., about a particular subject
: printed materials (such as booklets, leaflets, and brochures) that provide information about something
Full Definition of LITERATURE
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
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Origin of LITERATURE
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin litteratura writing, grammar, learning, from litteratus
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Rhymes with LITERATURE
LITERATURE Defined for Kids
literature
noun lit·er·a·ture \ˈli-tə-rə-ˌchu̇r\
Definition of LITERATURE for Kids
1
: written works considered as having high quality and ideas of lasting and widespread interest
2
: written material <I read some travel literature before my vacation.>
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