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Noun: literature  'li-t(u-)ru,chûr [N. Amer], li-tri-chu(r) [Brit]
  1. Creative writing of recognized artistic value
     
  2. The humanistic study of a body of literature
    "he took a course in Russian literature";
    - lit
     
  3. 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"
     
  4. The profession or art of a writer
    "her place in literature is secure"

Derived forms: literatures

Type of: literary study, piece of writing, profession, writing, written material

Encyclopedia: Literature, English