literalism

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lit·er·al·ism / ˈlitərəˌlizəm; ˈlitrə-/ • n. the interpretation of words in their usual or most basic sense, without allowing for metaphor or exaggeration: biblical literalism. ∎  literal or nonidealistic representation in literature or art.DERIVATIVES: lit·er·al·ist n.lit·er·al·is·tic / ˌlitərəˈlistik; ˌlitrə-/ adj.

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