I. ˈlid.ərə̇t, ˈlitərə̇t, ˈli.trə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V adjective
Etymology: Middle English literat, from Latin litteratus, literatus, adjective & noun, from litterae, literae epistle, writing, literature + -atus -ate — more at letter
1.
a. : characterized by or possessed of learning : educated , cultured
one of the more literate analysts working in this area — Webster Schott
citizens … highly literate in economic matters — Alan Valentine
the familiar magic in words and miracles in perception that are Shakespeare's … provide the mind with a literate and often gusty evening — New Republic
it is a literate community, with several good museums and its own symphony orchestra
b. : able to read and write — opposed to illiterate
a large percentage of the world's adult population is literate in some language
2.
a. : versed or immersed in literature or creative writing : literary
a novel … of the former master of satire, who nevertheless is always literate and engrossing — Harvey Breit
b. : dealing with literature or belles lettres
innovators in this form of literate publishing — Seymour Krim
c. : well executed or technically proficient : polished , lucid
though it is … always cinematically literate , the picture is longer on talk than on action — Time
assembling doctoral findings into a literate thesis — J.P.Elder
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin litteratus, literatus
1.
a. : an educated person
b. : one who can read and write
2. : one admitted to holy orders in the Church of England without having a university degree