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.
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.
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 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
Fruitcake quickly acclimated to its American home, and even plays a supporting role in American literature.
One Cake to Rule Them All: How Stollen Stole Our Hearts|Molly Hannon|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Celebrities flocked to this glamorous and buzzy temple of literature and culture.
The Bookstore That Bewitched Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and Greta Garbo|Felice Picano|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He was an elector, and had a taste for music and literature.
Dealings With The Dead|A Sexton of the Old School
But he was not on that account forced to confine himself to literature.
Stories of Authors, British and American|Edwin Watts Chubb
The material used was flannel, and such interments are frequently mentioned in the literature of the time.
A History of Mourning|Richard Davey
The historians of literature scarcely deign to mention a few names, or the editors of selections to extract a few sonnets.
Introduction to the Literature of Europe in the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Centuries, Vol. 1|Henry Hallam
But more important to the historian of literature even than the development of qualities is the evolution of types.
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
10 Songs You Had No Idea Were Inspired By LiteratureThat song you hum every day while brushing your teeth might actually have been inspired by a great work of literature, deep themes and all.
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Can You Identify Literature’s Famous Opening Lines?How well do you know the actual opening lines from some of literature's greatest novels? Correctly match these memorable openers with their works of fiction and consider yourself an excellent listener!