n.
Pronunciation: ' li-t ə -r ə t also ' li-tr ə t
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English literat, from Latin litteratus marked with letters, literate, from litterae letters, literature, from plural of littera
Date: 15th century
1 a : EDUCATED , CULTURED b : able to read and write
2 a : versed in literature or creative writing : LITERARY b : LUCID , POLISHED <a literate essay> c : having knowledge or competence <computer- literate > <politically literate >
– lit · er · ate · ly adverb
– lit · er · ate · ness noun