LITERALLY
Lit"er*al*ly, adv.
1. According to the primary and natural import of words; not figuratively; as, a man and his wife can not be literally one flesh.
2. With close adherence to words; word by word. So wild and ungovernable a poet can not be translated literally. Dryden.
LITERALNESS
Lit"er*al*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being literal; literal import.
LITERARY Lit"er*a*ry, a. Etym: [L. litterarius, literarius,fr. littera, litera, a letter: cf. F. littéraire. See Letter.]
1. Of or pertaining to letters or literature; pertaining to learning or learned men; as, literary fame; a literary history; literary conversation. He has long outlived his century, the term commonly fixed as the test of literary merit. Johnson.
2. Versed in, or acquainted with, literature; occupied with literature as a profession; connected with literature or with men of letters; as, a literary man. In the literary as well as fashionable world. Mason. Literary property. (a) Property which consists in written or printed compositions. (b) The exclusive right of publication as recognized and limited by law.
LITERATE
Lit"er*ate, a. Etym: [L. litteratus, literatus. See Letter.]
Defn: Instructed in learning, science, or literature; learned;
lettered.
The literate now chose their emperor, as the military chose theirs.
Landor.