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Noun: literalism  'li-tu-ru,li-zum
  1. A disposition to interpret statements in their literal sense
    "His literalism sometimes caused him to misunderstand jokes and sarcasm"
     
  2. The doctrine of realistic (literal) portrayal in art or literature
    "The author's literalism left little room for metaphorical interpretation"

Derived forms: literalisms

Type of: disposition, doctrine, inclination, ism, philosophical system, philosophy, school of thought, tendency

Encyclopedia: Literalism