Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Letter for letter; exactly as written: Reproducing or transcribing a text with precise fidelity to the original, including every character and its exact placement.

Usage

The adverb "literatim" is used to describe the action of copying, quoting, or transcribing text with absolute precision, without any alteration, omission, or modernization. It is a formal term, often found in academic, legal, or editorial contexts to specify the exact nature of a reproduction.

Examples

• The scribe was instructed to copy the ancient manuscript literatim, preserving every archaic spelling and abbreviation.
• The court demanded a literatim transcript of the recorded conversation as evidence.
• The quote was reproduced literatim from the first edition, including its original punctuation.

Advanced Usage

• "To copy/transcribe something literatim": This is the most common construction, emphasizing the verb of reproduction.
  • The scholar transcribed the damaged inscription as literatim as possible.
• Used to contrast with a paraphrase or a modernized version.
  • We need both a literatim version for the appendix and a modernized translation for the main text.

Variants and Related Words

• Verbatim (adverb): In exactly the same words; word for word. While similar, "verbatim" focuses on words, whereas "literatim" focuses on individual letters and characters.
  • He repeated the statement verbatim.
• Transcribe (verb): To make a written copy of spoken or written material.
• Facsimile (noun): An exact copy, especially of written or printed material.

Synonyms

• Letter-for-letter
• Exactly
• Precisely (in the context of transcription)
• Faithfully (in the context of reproduction)

Antonyms

• Paraphrased
• Summarized
• Modernized
• Altered

Notes on Usage

"Literatim" is a specialized, somewhat rare adverb borrowed directly from Latin. Its use signals a high degree of textual precision. It is not typically used in everyday conversation but is valuable in fields requiring exact documentation.

Adverb

1. letter for letter
   • the message was transcribed literatim