- adherence to the exact letter or the literal sense, as in translation or interpretation: to interpret the law with uncompromising literalism.
- a peculiarity of expression resulting from this: The work is studded with these obtuse literalisms.
- exact representation or portrayal, without idealization, as in art or literature: a literalism more appropriate to journalism than to the novel.
- the disposition to take words and statements in their literal sense
- literal or realistic portrayal in art or literature
