the literal sense of a word

  • 1literal — [[t]lɪ̱tərəl[/t]] 1) ADJ: usu ADJ n The literal sense of a word or phrase is its most basic sense. In many cases, the people there are fighting, in a literal sense, for their homes. 2) ADJ: usu ADJ n A literal translation is one in which you… …

    English dictionary

  • 2The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist —     The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist     In this article we shall consider:     ♦ the fact of the Real Presence, which is, indeed, the central dogma;     ♦ the …

    Catholic encyclopedia

  • 3literal — (adj.) late 14c., taking words in their natural meaning (originally in reference to Scripture and opposed to mystical or allegorical), from O.Fr. literal and directly from L.L. literalis/litteralis of or belonging to letters or writing, from L.… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 4literal - literary - literate — ◊ literal The literal meaning of a word is its most basic meaning. She was older than I was, and not only in the literal sense. Tristan s first words were Tykki Dyw, Cornish for butterfly. Its literal meaning is beautiful little thing of God . ◊… …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 5in the full sense of the word — in the fully literal sense of the word …

    English contemporary dictionary

  • 6sense — I n. judgment 1) to display, show sense 2) common, good, horse (colloq.) sense 3) a grain of sense 4) the sense to + inf. (they don t have the sense to admit defeat) 5) (misc.) to bring smb. to her/his senses; to come to one s senses; to take… …

    Combinatory dictionary

  • 7literal — 1 adjective 1 the literal meaning of a word or expression is its basic or original meaning: literal meaning/sense/interpretation etc: A trade war is not a war in the literal sense. compare figurative (1) 2 literal translation a translation that… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 8literal — I UK [ˈlɪt(ə)rəl] / US adjective * 1) the literal meaning of a word is its most basic meaning He is clearly not using the word dead in its literal sense. See: figurative 2) a literal translation is one in which each word is translated separately… …

    English dictionary

  • 9literal — lit|e|ral [ˈlıtərəl] adj [Date: 1300 1400; : French; Origin: Medieval Latin literalis, from Latin littera; LETTER1] 1.) the literal meaning of a word or expression is its basic or original meaning →↑figurative literal meaning/sense/interpretation …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 10literal — literalness, n. /lit euhr euhl/, adj. 1. in accordance with, involving, or being the primary or strict meaning of the word or words; not figurative or metaphorical: the literal meaning of a word. 2. following the words of the original very… …

    Universalium