lit ‧ e ‧ ra ‧ ture S3 W2 /ˈlɪt ə rətʃə $ -tʃʊr/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ literature , ↑ literacy ≠ ↑ illiteracy , ↑ illiterate , ↑ literati ; adjective : ↑ literary , ↑ literate ≠ ↑ illiterate ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin litteratura , from litteratus ; ⇨ ↑ literate ]
1 . books, plays, poems etc that people think are important and good:
He has read many of the major works of literature.
Italian literature
2 . all the books, articles etc on a particular subject
literature on
literature on the history of science
in the literature
Several cases of mercury poisoning have been recorded in the literature.
3 . printed information produced by people who want to sell you something or tell you about something:
sales literature
• • •
THESAURUS
■ types of book
▪ novel noun [countable] a book about imaginary people and events:
The film is based on Nick Hornby’s best-selling novel.
|
a historical novel
▪ fiction noun [uncountable] books that describe imaginary people and events:
She reads a lot of romantic fiction.
▪ literature noun [uncountable] novels and plays that are considered to be important works of art:
I’m studying American literature at university.
▪ non-fiction noun [uncountable] books that describe real people and events:
Men tend to prefer non-fiction.
▪ science fiction noun [uncountable] books about imaginary events in the future or space travel
▪ reference book noun [countable] a book such as a dictionary or encyclopedia, which you look at to find information
▪ textbook noun [countable] a book about a particular subject that you use in a classroom
▪ set book British English , course book British English noun [countable] a book that you have to study as part of your course
▪ guidebook noun [countable] a book telling visitors about a city or country
▪ picture book noun [countable] a book for children with many pictures in it
▪ hardcover/hardback noun [countable] a book that has a hard stiff cover
▪ paperback noun [countable] a book that has a paper cover
▪ biography noun [countable] a book about a real person’s life, written by another person
▪ autobiography noun [countable] a book that someone has written about their own life
▪ recipe book/cookery book British English ( also cookbook American English ) noun [countable] a book that tells you how to cook different meals