late 14c., "taking words in their natural meaning" (originally in reference to Scripture and opposed to mystical or allegorical), from Old French literal and directly from Late Latin literalis/litteralis "of or belonging to letters or writing," from Latin litera/littera "letter, alphabetic sign; literature, books" (see letter (n.1)). Meaning "of or pertaining to alphabetic letters" is from late 15c. Sense of "verbally exact" is attested from 1590s, as is application to the primary sense of a word or passage. Literal-minded is attested from 1791.
实用例句
1. A literal translation of the name Tapies is "walls."
Tapies这个名字直译过来是“墙”。来自柯林斯例句
2. The literal meaning of the word " cat " is an animal.
“ 猫 ” 一词的本义是动物.来自《简明英汉词典》
3. This word should not be taken in its literal sense.
这个词不能按本义去理解.来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
4. He made a literal interpretation.
他逐字解释.来自《简明英汉词典》
5. The emergency signal SOS has no literal meaning.
