LITERATE

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English literat, from Latin litteratus marked with letters, ~, from litterae letters, literature, from plural of littera Date: 15th century 1. educated , cultured , able to read and write, 2. versed in literature or creative writing ; literary , lucid , polished , having knowledge or competence , ~ly adverb ~ness noun II. noun Date: circa 1550 an educated person, a person who can read and write