Literal
WordNet
adjective
(1) Without interpretation or embellishment
"A literal depiction of the scene before him"
(2) Limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text
"A literal translation"
(3) Avoiding embellishment or exaggeration (used for emphasis)
"It's the literal truth"
(4) Being or reflecting the essential or genuine character of something
"Her actual motive"
"A literal solitude like a desert"- G.K.Chesterton
"A genuine dilemma"
noun
(5) A mistake in printed matter resulting from mechanical failures of some kind
WiktionaryText
Etymology
< < , also < , ; see letter.
Adjective
- Exactly as stated; read or understood without additional interpretation; according to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical.
- The literal translation is “hands full of bananas” but it means empty-handed.
- Following the letter or exact words; not free; not taking liberties.
- A literal reading of the law would prohibit it, but that is clearly not the intent.
- Consisting of, or expressed by, letters.
Noun
- A value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program.