literality
Definition
Noun: The quality or state of being literal; adherence to the exact or primary meaning of a word or text, without metaphor, exaggeration, or interpretation.
Usage Examples
- (Strict adherence to the exact meaning.)
- (Poetry avoids being strictly literal.)
- (She took the words at face value.)
Advanced Usage
"Beyond literality": moving past strict literal meaning to consider nuance or implication.
- The scholar argued that understanding the text requires going beyond literality to grasp its cultural subtext. (Looking past the exact words.)
"A matter of literality": referring to a situation where literal interpretation is key.
- In legal documents, literality is often crucial to avoid ambiguity. (Exact wording matters.)
Variants and Related Words
- Literal (adj): taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration.
- He gave a literal account of the events, without any added details. (Exact and factual.)
- Literalist (n): a person who interprets words or texts in a strictly literal manner.
- The literalist refused to accept the metaphorical reading of the parable. (One who insists on literal meaning.)
- Literalness (n): a synonym for literality, though less common.
- The literalness of the child's question surprised the teacher. (The quality of being literal.)
Synonyms
- Exactness: the quality of being precise and accurate.
- Verbatim: using exactly the same words; word for word.
- Strictness: the quality of adhering closely to rules or meanings.
Related Idioms
- To the letter: exactly as written or instructed, without deviation.
- She followed the recipe to the letter, but the cake still didn't rise. (She followed it exactly.)
- In the strict sense: according to the most precise or narrow definition.
- In the strict sense of the word, a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable. (According to exact meaning.)