— literarily , adv. — literariness , n.
/lit"euh rer'ee/ , adj.
1. pertaining to or of the nature of books and writings, esp. those classed as literature: literary history.
2. pertaining to authorship: literary style.
3. versed in or acquainted with literature; well-read.
4. engaged in or having the profession of literature or writing: a literary man.
5. characterized by an excessive or affected display of learning; stilted; pedantic.
6. preferring books to actual experience; bookish.
[ 1640-50; literarius, litterarius of reading and writing. See LETTER, -ARY ]