Etymology of the English word literal
the English word
literalderived from the Old French word
literalderived from the Latin word
litteralis (belonging, pertaining to writing, letters)
derived from the Humanistic Latin word
littera (letter; letter, epistle)
derived from the Etruscan word
litteraderived from the Greek word
diphthera, διφθέρα, διϕϑέρα (skin, leather, hide)
derived from the Latin word
literalisderived from the Humanistic Latin word
littera (letter; letter, epistle)
derived from the Etruscan word
litteraderived from the Greek word
diphthera, διφθέρα, διϕϑέρα (skin, leather, hide)
Date
The earliest known usage of literal in English dates from the 14th century.
Derivations in English
foreword,
biliteral,
literalism,
literality,
literalize,
literallyUsage
Word found in Modern English
