Main Entry:: lit·er·a·ture
Pronunciation:: \ˈli-tə-rə-ˌchu̇r, ˈli-trə-ˌchu̇r, ˈli-tə(r)-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\
Function:: noun
Etymology:: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin litteratura writing, grammar, learning, from litteratus
Date:: 14th century

1archaic : literary culture2: the production of literary work especially as an occupation3 a (1): writings in prose or verse ; especially : writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest (2): an example of such writings <what came out, though rarely literature, was always a roaring good story — People> b: the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age c: the body of writings on a particular subject <scientific literature> d: printed matter (as leaflets or circulars) <campaign literature>4: the aggregate of a usually specified type of musical compositions

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