Definition of literature

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< literatim

lith. >

lit·er·a·ture    (ltr--chr, -chr) KEY 

NOUN:

1. The body of written works of a language, period, or culture.
2. Imaginative or creative writing, especially of recognized artistic value: "Literature must be an analysis of experience and a synthesis of the findings into a unity" (Rebecca West).
3. The art or occupation of a literary writer.
4. The body of written work produced by scholars or researchers in a given field: medical literature.
5. Printed material: collected all the available literature on the subject.
6. Music All the compositions of a certain kind or for a specific instrument or ensemble: the symphonic literature.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, book learning, from Old French litterature, from Latin littertra, from littertus, lettered ; see literate