literature: [14] Latin littera meant ‘letter’, and was the source of English letter. From it was derived literātus ‘having knowledge of letters’, hence ‘educated, learned’ (source of English literate [15]); and this formed the basis of the further derivative litterātūra, which denoted ‘writing formed with letters’, and by extension ‘learning, grammar’. English took it over partly direct, partly via French littérature. From the same source comes English literal [14]. => letter, literal, obliterate
literature (n.)
late 14c., from Latin literatura/litteratura "learning, a writing, grammar," originally "writing formed with letters," from litera/littera "letter" (see letter (n.1)). Originally "book learning" (it replaced Old English boccræft), the meaning "literary production or work" is first attested 1779 in Johnson's "Lives of the English Poets" (he didn't include this definition in his dictionary, however); that of "body of writings from a period or people" is first recorded 1812.
Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree. [Ezra Pound, "ABC of Reading"]
Meaning "the whole of the writing on a particular subject" is from 1860; sense of "printed matter generally" is from 1895. The Latin word also is the source of Spanish literatura, Italian letteratura, German Literatur.
实用例句
1. He was well acquainted with the literature of France, Germany and Holland.
他对于法国、德国和荷兰的文学了如指掌。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Her literary criticism focuses on the way great literature suggests ideas.
她的文学批评集中关注的是伟大的文学作品表达思想的方式。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Some companies have toned down the claims on their promotional literature.
一些公司已降低了宣传资料中标榜之词的调门。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The book is an invaluable aid to teachers of literature.
这本书对于教授文学的老师来说帮助非常大。
来自柯林斯例句
5. Harriet graduated with a first class degree in literature.
