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Noun: illiteracy  i'li-t(u-)ru-see
  1. Inability to read or write
    "Efforts to reduce illiteracy in rural areas have shown positive results";
    - analphabetism
     
  2. Ignorance resulting from not reading
    "His illiteracy prevented him from understanding the written instructions"

Derived forms: illiteracies

Type of: ignorance, inability

Encyclopedia: Illiteracy