I. ˈli-tə-rət also ˈli-trət 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
II. noun
Date: circa 1550
1. : an educated person
2. : a person who can read and write