literature

/'litəritʃə/
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literature

A student reads a classic novel for her literature class.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • Written works, especially those considered of superior or lasting artistic merit: "Literature" refers to written works, particularly those valued for their form, expression, and ideas. This includes novels, poems, plays, and essays.
    • The body of written works on a particular subject: "Literature" can also denote all the published information, such as books and articles, concerning a specific field or topic.
    • The art or profession of a writer: "Literature" can refer to the activity or career of writing such artistic works.
    • The body of written work produced in a particular language, country, or period: "Literature" can describe the collective writings of a culture or era.
Examples of Usage
  • Noun:
    • She is studying English literature from the 19th century.
    • There is an extensive scientific literature on climate change.
    • He decided to pursue a career in literature.
    • French literature is rich and varied.
Advanced Usage
  • "the literature": This phrase is commonly used in academic and professional contexts to refer to the collective body of published research and scholarship on a subject.
    • Before designing the experiment, we must review the literature thoroughly.
  • "in the literature": Used to state that something has been documented or discussed in published works.
    • This phenomenon is well-documented in the literature.
Variants and Related Words
  • Literary (adj): Pertaining to or characteristic of formal, artistic writing or the study of such writing.
    • He has a very literary style.
  • Literate (adj): Able to read and write; knowledgeable or educated in a particular field.
    • She is highly literate in computer science.
Synonyms
  • Writings: The collected works of an author or on a subject.
  • Canon: A body of works considered to be authoritative or central to a tradition.
  • Scholarship: The academic work or publications on a subject (especially for non-fiction contexts).
Related Phrases
  • Body of literature: The complete collection of written works on a topic.
    • The body of literature on this theory is growing.
  • Review of the literature: A systematic survey and summary of existing publications on a research topic.
    • The first chapter of her thesis is a review of the literature.
Related Idioms
  • "Required reading": While not an idiom with "literature," this phrase refers to essential texts in a field, often considered part of its foundational literature.
    • That paper is required reading for anyone in the field.
literature

A student reads a classic novel for her literature class.

Noun
  1. the profession or art of a writer
    • her place in literature is secure
  2. published writings in a particular style on a particular subject
    • the technical literature
    • one aspect of Waterloo has not yet been treated in the literature
  3. the humanistic study of a body of literature
    • he took a course in Russian lit
  4. creative writing of recognized artistic value