2 November 2017
literal
[lit-er-uh l]
adjective
1. in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical:
the literal meaning of a word.
2. following the words of the original very closely and exactly:
a literal translation of Goethe.
3. true to fact; not exaggerated; actual or factual:
a literal description of conditions.
4. being actually such, without exaggeration or inaccuracy:
the literal extermination of a city.
5. (of persons) tending to construe words in the strict sense or in an unimaginative way; matter-of-fact; prosaic.
6. of or relating to the letters of the alphabet.
7. of the nature of letters.
noun
10. a typographical error, especially involving a single letter.
Origin of literal
Middle English, Late Latin
1350-1400; Middle English < Late Latin litterālis “of letters.” See letter1, -al1
Related forms
literalness, noun
nonliteral, adjective
nonliterally, adverb
nonliteralness, noun
overliteral, adjective
Can be confused
literal, littoral.
Synonyms
3. truthful, exact, reliable.
Dictionary.com
Examples from the Web for literal
Contemporary Examples
I never hear a Democrat talk about these goods, which are, in the literal sense, indivisible—for us all.
The Democrats’ Black Hole—and What They Can Do About It
Michael Tomasky
December 30, 2014
So is the literal “turkey point of view” offered by the GoPros attached to the turkeys as they run around the coop.
A Turkey’s View of Thanksgiving
The Daily Beast Video
November 25, 2014
“The amount of literal brainwork needed to do his job too such a toll on him that it sent him to an early grave,” Goode says.
From ‘The Good Wife’ to ‘The Imitation Game’: Matthew Goode Wages His Charm Offensive
Kevin Fallon
November 23, 2014
“Air refueling and airlift assets were the literal pinch I am describing here,” the official said.
First U.S. Stealth Jet Attack on Syria Cost More Than Indian Mission to Mars
Dave Majumdar
September 23, 2014
Then the director, Penny Marshall, encouraged him to drop some of the literal behavior and put more of himself into the character.
The Stacks: Robin Williams, More Than A Shtick Figure
Joe Morgenstern
August 15, 2014
Historical Examples
No one will claim that it is used in its literal sense of “seed,” in the text.
Life: Its True Genesis
R. W. Wright
This lyrical vision restores it, whole, complete, and literal.
Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle
H. N. Brailsford
This literal quotation from the frank Mr. Calvin caused a sensation.
Cap’n Dan’s Daughter
Joseph C. Lincoln
Anagram
lilt era
let rail
all tier
Today’s quote
Tragedy in life normally comes with betrayal and compromise, and trading on your integrity and not having dignity in life. That’s really where failure comes.
– Tom Cochrane
On this day
2 November 1917 – British Foreign Secretary, James Balfour, presents a declaration of intent to establish a national homeland in Palestine for the Jewish people. It became known as the ‘Balfour Declaration’.
2 November 1936 – launch of the British Broadcasting Commission (BBC-TV). World’s first regular television service. Initially broadcasting with a radius of 25 miles. It was taken off-air from 1939 – 1946 because of World War II. Now known as BBC One.
2 November 1942 – Australians recapture Kokoda from the Japanese during the Kokoda Track campaign. The campaign was fought from 21 July 1942 to 16 November 1942, in the Australian territory of Papua New Guinea between Japanese and predominantly Australian forces. The Kokoda Track wound through the Owen Stanley Ranges, which Japanese forces had invaded as they attempted to seize Port Moresby.