literature

[ lit-er-uh-cher, -choor, li-truh- ]

/ ˈlɪt ər ə tʃər, -ˌtʃʊər, ˈlɪ trə- /

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See synonyms for literature on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

the entire body of writings of a specific language, period, people, etc.: the literature of England.

the writings dealing with a particular subject: the literature of ornithology.

the profession of a writer or author.

literary work or production.

any kind of printed material, as circulars, leaflets, or handbills: literature describing company products.

Archaic. polite learning; literary culture; appreciation of letters and books.

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Question 1 of 7

Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?

First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.

First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.

First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.

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Origin of literature

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English litterature, from Latin litterātūra “grammar;” see origin at literate, -ure

synonym study for literature

1. Literature, belles-lettres, letters refer to artistic writings worthy of being remembered. In the broadest sense, literature includes any type of writings on any subject: the literature of medicine; usually, however, it means the body of artistic writings of a country or period that are characterized by beauty of expression and form and by universality of intellectual and emotional appeal: English literature of the 16th century. Belles-lettres is a more specific term for writings of a light, elegant, or excessively refined character: His talent is not for scholarship but for belles-lettres. Letters (rare today outside of certain fixed phrases) refers to literature as a domain of study or creation: a man of letters.

OTHER WORDS FROM literature

pre·lit·er·a·ture, noun

Words nearby literature

literate, literati, literatim, literation, literator, literature, literatus, lith, lithagogue, litharge, lithe

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for literature

If you want to understand the flamboyant family of objects that make up our solar system—from puny, sputtering comets to tremendous, ringed planets—you could start by immersing yourself in the technical terms that fill the scientific literature.
These Images Expose the Dark Side of the Solar System - Issue 89: The Dark Side|Corey S. Powell|August 26, 2020|Nautilus
Poway Unified anticipates bringing forward two new courses – ethnic studies and ethnic literature – to the school board for review, said Christine Paik, a spokeswoman for the district.
As School Resumes, Students Bring Racial Justice Push to the Classroom|Kayla Jimenez|August 18, 2020|Voice of San Diego
The book she completed after that trip, Coming of Age in Samoa, published in 1928, would be hailed as a classic in the literature on sexuality and adolescence.
Gender Is What You Make of It - Issue 88: Love & Sex|Charles King|August 5, 2020|Nautilus
He also told Chemistry World he envisages the robots eventually being able to analyze the scientific literature to better guide their experiments.
This Robotic Chemist Does Over 600 Experiments a Week and Learns From Its Own Work|Edd Gent|July 13, 2020|Singularity Hub

Research also suggests that reading literature may help increase empathy and understanding of others’ experiences, potentially spurring better real-world behavior.
The case for using literature to kickstart conversations about race at work|Sarah Todd|July 12, 2020|Quartz
The research literature, too, asks these questions, and not without reason.
How Skinny Is Too Skinny? Israel Bans ‘Underweight’ Models|Carrie Arnold|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She wanted to know what happened over five years, or even 10, but the scientific literature had little to offer.
Why Your New Year’s Diet Will Fail|Carrie Arnold|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The religion shaped all facets of life: art, medicine, literature, and even dynastic politics.
The Buddhist Business of Poaching Animals for Good Karma|Brendon Hong|December 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Speaking of the literature you love, the Bloomsbury writers crop up in your collection repeatedly.
Daphne Merkin on Lena Dunham, Book Criticism, and Self-Examination|Mindy Farabee|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Literature in the 14th century, Strohm points out, was an intimate, interactive affair.
A Year In The Life of The Canterbury Tales’ Storied Beginnings|Wendy Smith|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
All along the highways and by-paths of our literature we encounter much that pertains to this "queen of plants."
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
There cannot be many persons in the world who keep up with the whole range of musical literature as he does.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
In early English literature there was at one time a tendency to ascribe to Solomon various proverbs not in the Bible.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
He was deeply versed in Saxon literature and published a work on the antiquity of the English church.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
Such unromantic literature as Acts of Parliament had not, it may be supposed, up to this, formed part of my mental pabulum.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland|Joseph Tatlow

British Dictionary definitions for literature

literature

/ (ˈlɪtərɪtʃə, ˈlɪtrɪ-) /

noun

written material such as poetry, novels, essays, etc, esp works of imagination characterized by excellence of style and expression and by themes of general or enduring interest

the body of written work of a particular culture or peopleScandinavian literature

written or printed matter of a particular type or on a particular subjectscientific literature; the literature of the violin

printed material giving a particular type of informationsales literature

the art or profession of a writer

obsolete learning

Word Origin for literature

C14: from Latin litterātūra writing; see letter

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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literature

noun

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Origin of literature

synonym study for literature

OTHER WORDS FROM literature

Words nearby literature

Example sentences from the Web for literature

British Dictionary definitions for literature

noun

Word Origin for literature

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

literature

noun

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON PARENTHESES AND BRACKETS APLENTY!

Origin of literature

synonym study for literature

OTHER WORDS FROM literature

Words nearby literature

Content related to literature

Words related to literature

Example sentences from the Web for literature

British Dictionary definitions for literature

noun

Word Origin for literature