Definition

1. Noun:
   • A disposition to interpret statements in their literal sense: A tendency or approach to understand words and texts exactly as they are written, without considering figurative, metaphorical, or symbolic meanings.
   • The doctrine of realistic (literal) portrayal in art or literature: A principle in art or literature that advocates for the faithful, accurate, and unembellished representation of subjects.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • His strict literalism made it difficult for him to appreciate poetry, which often relies on metaphor.
  • The artist's literalism was evident in the painting's photographic attention to detail.

Advanced Usage

• "Biblical literalism": The belief that the text of the Bible should be accepted in its plain, literal sense.

  • Biblical literalism holds that the creation story in Genesis is a factual historical account.

• "To adhere to literalism": To strictly follow a literal interpretation.

  • The translator's adherence to literalism resulted in a technically accurate but awkward-sounding text.

Variants and Related Words

• Literalist (n): A person who adheres to literalism.

  • As a literalist, she argued against any symbolic reading of the law.

• Literalistic (adj): Characterized by or pertaining to literalism.

  • His literalistic approach to the contract missed the underlying intent of the agreement.

Synonyms

• Textualism: Strict adherence to the text.
• Verbatim interpretation: Word-for-word interpretation.

Related Phrases

• "A literal reading": An interpretation based on the most basic meaning of the words.
  • A literal reading of the instruction manual is essential for assembling the furniture correctly.

Related Idioms

• "To take something at face value": To accept something exactly as it appears or is stated, without looking for a hidden meaning. (This idiom conveys a similar concept to literalism in everyday language.)
  • He tends to take all compliments at face value, never considering if they might be sarcastic.

Noun

1. a disposition to interpret statements in their literal sense
2. the doctrine of realistic (literal) portrayal in art or literature