lite 
2. Of low rank. 
He nc lafte for ivynr nc (bonder 
In .-ikn. .-! nur in nn- - hi. t to vlsite 
The ferreste In his piirissche, mochu and lite. 
Chaucer, Den. Prut to C. T., 1. 494. 
II. n. Alittlo; a siniill amount; a short time. 
Cold water shal not grove us but n liii>'. 
i lain,; r, \l:in ot Law's Tnlo, 1. 254. 
Ac for to fare thus with i hi f rondo foly it were, 
For he that loueth the Icily lyte of thyne coiielteth. 
Itert I'loannan (11), xiil. 149. 
He sede me a lute hluorc is deth that he wan ate dede. 
Holy Jiood (E. E. T. S.), p. 8& 
lite 1 !, <tdr. In a small quantity or degree Lite 
and lite, little by little ; gradually or slowly. 
Every Bonn 
Nia but of eir reverbenicionn, 
And evere it wasteth lite and lite jv.tr. liti'l] away. 
Chaucer, Summoner's Tale, L 627. 
lite 2 (ll'te). .: pi. litai (-te). [Gr. lj.pi, prayer: 
see litany.} In the Gr. Ch., a religious pro- 
cession accompanied with prayer; prayer for 
a special object made during such a procession. 
-lite. [< F. -lithe = Sp. -lito = Pg. -litho = It. 
-Uto, <L. -lithus, < Or. AiOof, a stone. The form 
-lith is directly from the L. and Gr. ; the form 
-lite is partly from the F. -lithe (pron. let), and 
is partly due to conformation to the unrelated 
sutlix -i/e 2 as used in mineralogy.] An ele- 
ment (a quasi-suffix) in names of minerals, sig- 
nifying 'stone': same as -lith. 
litelt, a., n., adv., and v. A Middle English 
form of little. 
Iiter 1 t, n. A Middle English form of litter. 
liter'-', litre 1 (le'ter), . [< F. litre, < Gr. Airoa, 
a pound, > LL. litra, a pound, ML. a measure 
of liquids (> F. litron, an old measure of capa- 
city): see litra.'] The unit of capacity in the 
metric system, equal to 0.88036 imperial quart, 
or 1.056 United States quarts; the volume of 
one kilogram of water at its maximum density. 
It was Intended to be as nearly equal as possible to one 
cubic decimeter, and in fact Its departure from this is ex- 
tremely small, and has never been satisfactorily deter- 
mined. The liter is a volume ascertained by weighing. 
It is not a vessel; and the temperature of the vessel that 
holds it is only defined for the purpose of testing standards. 
literacy (lit'e-ra-si), n. [< litera(tv) + -cy.] 
The state of being literate ; knowledge of let- 
ters ; ability to read and write ; possession of 
education; also, condition with reference to 
education : opposed to illiteracy. 
Massachusetts is the first state in the Union In literacy 
in its native population. 
New Eng. Jour, of Education, XVII. 54. 
literal (lit'e-ral), . and . [< OF. literal, F. 
tittmil = Sp. literal = Pg. litteral = It. litterale, 
letterale, < LL. littcralis, literalis, of or belong- 
ing to letters or to writing, < L. littera, litera, 
a letter, littera;, litera;, letters: see letter 3 , n.] 
1. n. 1. Consisting of, expressed by, or repre- 
senting letters ; alphabetic. 
So haue I don, after myne entent 
With litterall carectcs for your sake ; 
Tham couueying in sable lines blake. 
Rom. of Partenay (E. E. T. S.X 1. 6606. 
The literal notation of numbers was known to Europeans 
before the ciphers. Johnson. 
2. According to the letter of verbal expression, 
(a) According to inherent or fundamental purport; free 
from figure or variation of meaning ; exact ; precise ; pri- 
mary : as, the literal meaning of words used metaphori- 
cally ; to use the most literal expressions, (b) In accor- 
dance with the natural or established use of language ; 
conformable to the most obvious intent ; real ; authentic : 
as, the literal meaning of an author ; literal interpretation. 
Though some differences have been ill raised, yet We 
take comfort in this, that all Clergymen within Our Realm 
have always most willingly subscribed to the Articles es- 
tablished : which is an argument to Us that they all agree 
in the true, usual, literal meaning of the said Articles. 
Royal Declaration prefixed to the Thirty-nine Articles. 
That is properly the literal sense which is the first mean- 
ing of the command in the whole complexion. 
Jer. Taylor, Works (ed. 1835), II. 121. 
Literal interpretation in Scripture as in other books re- 
sults from the ordinary use and force of the words. It 
gives the sense which the words proximately signify ac- 
cording to the writer's intention. This may be either the 
proper or the metaphorical meaning. 
J. H. Blunt, Diet. Doct. and Hist Theol., p. 417. 
3. Following the letter or exact words. 
The common way which we have taken is not a literal 
translation, but a kind of paraphrase, or somewhat which 
is yet more loose, betwixt a paraphrase and imitation. 
Dryden, tr. of Juvenal, Ded. 
4. Exact; especially, mechanically precise : as, 
the too literal execution of an order. 5. Char- 
acterized by a tendency to regard everything 
in a matter-of-fact, unimaginative way: as, a 
very literal person Literal arithmetic, algebra. 
Literal contract, equation, etc. See the nouns. =Syn. 
2. Sec. verbal. 
219 
3470 
II. t n. Literal meaning. 
How dangerous It Is In sensible things to use metaphor- 
ical expressions unto the people, and what absurd conci-its 
they will swallow In their literals! 
Sir T. Browne, Vulg. Err., iv. 10. 
literalisation, literalise, etc. See Ht<-mli:n- 
tioii, etc. 
literalism (lit'e-ral-izm), . [=F. HttfraH.-nm ; 
< liti-ral + -ism.] 1. Literal interpretation or 
understanding; adherence to the exact letter 
or precise significance, as in interpreting or 
translating. 2. In art, exact rendering or rep- 
resentation ; unimaginative exactness. 
He shunned the litrralitm of both form and color that 
Jarred the Ideal vision. TheStudiii, III. 147. 
literalist (lit'e-ral-ist). n. [= F. litteraliste = 
Sp. (rare) literaltsta ; (literal + -ist.~] 1. One 
wno adheres to the letter or exact word ; an 
interpreter according to the letter. 2. In art, 
an exact copyist ; one who draws or paints with 
unimaginative exactness. 
literality (lit-e-ral'i-ti), n. [= F. MteraU'.e; as 
III: nil T -ity."} Tne quality of being literal; 
literalness ; verbal or literal meaning. 
Those who are still bent to hold this obstinate literality. 
Milton, Divorce, 1. 14. 
literalization (life-ral-i-za'shon), . [< liter- 
alizc + -ation.'] Tne 'act of literalizing or ren- 
dering literal ; the act of reducing to a literal 
meaning. Also spelled literalisation. 
literalize (lit'e-ral-iz), r. t.; pret. and pp. titeral- 
ized, ppr. literalizing. [< literal + -ize.J To ren- 
der literal; conform or adhere to the letter; in- 
terpret or put in practice according to the strict 
meaning of the words. Also spelled literalise. 
literalizer (lit'e-ral-I-zer), n. One who literal- 
izes; one who interprets or understands liter- 
ally. Also written literaliser. 
literally (lit'e-ral-i), adv. In a literal manner 
or sense ; according to the strict import of the 
word or words; exactly: as, the city was liter- 
ally destroyed; the narrative is literally true. 
literalness (lit'e-ral-nes), n. The state of be- 
ing literal, (o) 'Literal interpretation or import, (b) 
The tendency to give to everything a literal or matter-of- 
fact interpretation; want of imaginativeness or ideality. 
The literalness and the logic which they {the Puritans] 
applied to everything they applied particularly to the doc- 
trines of providence and of prayer. 
M. C. Tyler, Hist. Amer. Lit., I. 101. 
literarian (lit-e-ra'ri-an), n. [< literary + 
-an.] One who is engaged in literary pursuits. 
[Recent.] 
Mr. J. A. Fronde, the historian, is the latest literarian 
to lay aside, temporarily, weightier work and indulge in 
the writing of fiction. The American, XVII. 301. 
literary (lit'e-ra-ri), a. [= F. litterairc = Sp. 
literano = Pg. litterario = It. letterario, < L. lit- 
tcrarius, literariuK, belonging to letters or learn- 
ing, < L. littera, litera, letter, pi. letters, learn- 
ing: see letter 3 , .] 1. Pertaining or relating 
to letters or literature; proper to or consist- 
ing of literature : as, literary property; literary 
fame or history ; literary conversation. 
He has long outlived his century, the term commonly 
fixed as the test of literary merit. 
Johnson, Prof, to Shakespeare. (Latham.) 
Chaucer had that fine literary sense which Is as rare as 
genius, and, united with it, as it was in him, assures an 
immortality of fame. Lowell, Study Windows, p. 260. 
The language of the Bible is fluid, passing, and literary, 
not rigid, fixed, and scientific. 
M. Arnold, Literature and Dogma, Pref. 
2. Versed in letters ; occupied with literature ; 
especially, engaged in writing books. 
He liked those literary cooks 
Who skim the cream of others' books. 
Mn. H. More. 
Literary and Scientific Institutions Act See imti- 
tution. 
literate (life-rat), a. and n. [== F. lettre = Sp. 
literato = Pg. litterato = It. litterato, letterato, 
< L. litteralus, literatus, lettered, learned, < lit- 
tirn, litera, letter, pi. letters, learning: see let- 
ter 3 ,!!.] I. n. 1. Having a knowledge of letters; 
possessing education; instructed: opposed to 
illiterate. 
The .Kfttean sea, that doth divide 
Europe from Asia, the sweet literate world 
From the barbarian. 
Chapman, Cfesar and Pompey, r. 1. 
2. Of or pertaining to letters; learned; literary. 
This is the proper function of literate elegancy, 
W. Montague, Devoute Essays, I. xix. $ 3. 
He was the Friar Bacon of the less literate portion of 
the Temple. Lamb, Old Benchers. 
It is only from its roots in the living generations of 
men that a language can be n-iiifniv. .1 with fresh vigor 
for its needs : what may be called a literate dialect grows 
ever more and more pedantic and foreign, till it becomes 
literature 
at last u unfitting a vehicle for living thought as monk 
Uh Latin Lou-ell, Higlw Papers, 2d ser., Int. 
3. Marked with short, angulated lines resem- 
bling letters: applied to the surfaces of shells 
and insects. 
II. a. 1. A man of letters; a learned or lit- 
erary man. 
On his monument . . . he [sir W. Jones] sits surround- 
ed by his company of native literates. 
Maine, Early Law and Custom, p. 3. 
2. An educated man who has not taken a uni- 
versity degree ; especially, a candidate for holy 
orders who has not been educated at a uni- 
versity. [Eng.] 
We have no literates, none of that class who in this 
country prepare themselves by private study, at a trifling 
cost, for the profession of the Church. 
Ill*, "f Limerick, quoted In Quarterly Rev., XXXI. 614. 
literatedt, . [< literate + -ecP.~\ Same as lit- 
erate. 
Host littrated Judges, please your lordships 
So to connive your Judgments to the view 
Of this debauch d and dlverslvolent woman. 
Webster, White Devil, III. i 
literati, . Plural of literatim. 
literatim (Kt-e-ra'tim), adv. [ML., < L. littera, 
litera, letter : "see letter 3 , .] Letter for letter ; 
without the change of a letter : usually in the 
phrase rerbatim et literatim. 
literation (lit-e-ra'shon), n. [As literate + 
-OH.] Representation by letters: as, the liter- 
ation of Oriental words in English. Compare 
transliteration. 
literatist (lit'e-ra-tist), M. [< literate + -int.'} 
A literary person; one engaged in literary pur- 
suits. [Rare.] 
Indeed, they are never the most elegant literati*!* who 
study longest at college. Jon Bee, Essay on Samuel Foote. 
literato (lit-e-ra'to), n. [< Sp. literato = It. lit- 
terato, letterato, learned: see literate, a., litera- 
<.i.] Same as literatim. [Rare.] 
literator (lit'e-ra-tor), n. [= F. litterateur = It. 
litleratorc, a literary man, < L. litterator, litera- 
tor, a teacher of reading, an instructor, also a 
grammarian, critic, philologist, < littera, litera, 
letter, pi. littera!, litera;, letters, learning: see 
letter 3 .) 1. A petty schoolmaster; a dabbler 
in learning. 
They systematically corrupt avery corruptible race, . . . 
a set of pert, petulant literator*, to whom, Instead of their 
proper, but severe, unostentatious duties, they assign the 
brilliant part of men of wit and pleasure, of gay young 
military sparks, and danglers at toilets. 
Burlce, To a Member of the Nat. Assembly. 
2. A man of literary culture ; a man of letters ; 
a literary man. 
Eobanus was the Poet of the Reformation, and, with 
Melanchthon and Camerarius, its chief Literator. 
Sir W. Hamilton. 
lAterator, modified from litterateur, Is much nearer be- 
ing Anglicized. This word, but not In the sense attached 
to it by Burke, we have long desiderated ; and the coun- 
tenance it has received from Soiithey, Landor, Lockhart, 
Mr. De Quincey, and Mr. Carlyle has already availed to 
take olf something of its strangeness of aspect 
F. Hall, Mod. Eng., p. 184. 
literature (lit'e-ra-tur), n. [Early mod. E. also 
Htteralure (in Mfi. 'letterure, lettrvre, < OF. let- 
trure: see Ictterure), < OF. literature, F. littera- 
ture = Sp. literatura = Pg. litteratura = It. lit- 
teratura, letteratwra = D. litteratitur = G. Dan. 
literatur = Sw. littcratur, < L. litteratura, litera- 
tura, a writing (as formed of letters), the alpha- 
bet, the science of language, philology, erudi- 
tion, learning, < littera, litera, a letter, pi. let- 
ters, learning: see letter 3 , n.] If. Learning; 
instruction in letters. 
Worshypfull maysters, ye shall understand, 
Is to you that have no liiirralun. 
The Pardoner and the Frere (1533). (Halliinll.) 
Would I had been at the charge of thy better literature. 
B. Joram, New Inn, To the Reader. 
A person who by his style and literature seems to have 
been the corrector of a hedge-press in Little Britain pro- 
ceeded gradually to an author. Swift. 
2. The use of letters for the promulgation of 
thought or knowledge ; the communication of 
facts, ideas, or emotions by means of books or 
other modes of publication; literary work or 
production: as, the profession of literature. 
Literature is a very bad crutch, bat a very good walking- 
stick. Lamh. 
3. Recorded thought or knowledge ; the aggre- 
gate of books and other publications, in either 
an unlimited or a limited sense; the collec- 
tive body of literary productions in general, or 
within a particular spnere, period, country, lan- 
guage, etc.: as, the literature of a science, art, 
or profession; Greek, Roman, or Elizabethan 
literature. 
