literalism
[ lit-er-uh-liz-uh m ]
/ ˈlɪt ər əˌlɪz əm /
|
noun
adherence to the exact letter or the literal sense, as in translation or interpretation: to interpret the law with uncompromising literalism.
a peculiarity of expression resulting from this: The work is studded with these obtuse literalisms.
exact representation or portrayal, without idealization, as in art or literature: a literalism more appropriate to journalism than to the novel.
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Nearby words
literacy hour, literacy test, literae humaniores, literal, literal-minded, literalism, literalist, literality, literalize, literally, literary
Related formslit·er·al·ist, nounlit·er·al·is·tic, adjectivelit·er·al·is·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for literalism
British Dictionary definitions for literalism
literalism
/ (ˈlɪtərəˌlɪzəm) /
noun
the disposition to take words and statements in their literal sense
literal or realistic portrayal in art or literature
Derived Formsliteralist, nounliteralistic, adjectiveliteralistically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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