polite literature

  • 1polite literature — noun Belles lettres, ie poetry, essays, standard novels, etc, as distinguished from scientific treatises and the like • • • Main Entry: ↑polite …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 2Polite — Po*lite , a. [Compar. {Politer}; superl. {Politest}.] [L. politus, p. p. of polire to polish: cf. F. poli. See {Polish}, v.] 1. Smooth; polished. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Rays of light falling on a polite surface. Sir I. Newton. [1913 Webster] 2.… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3literature — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) n. books, belles lettres, letters. See writing. II (Roget s IV) n. 1. [Artistic production in language] Syn. letters, lore, belles lettres, literary works, literary productions, writing, the humanities,… …

    English dictionary for students

  • 4literature — Synonyms and related words: French literature, Renaissance literature, ancient literature, article, autograph, belles lettres, belles lettres, bibliography, body of knowledge, body of learning, brainchild, brochures, circulars, classics,… …

    Moby Thesaurus

  • 5polite — adjective (politer; est) Etymology: Middle English (Scots) polit, Latin politus, from past participle of polire Date: 15th century 1. a. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of advanced culture b. marked by refined cultural interests… …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 6literature — n. 1. Learning, erudition, letters, lore. 2. The humanities, the Muses, belles lettres, polite literature. 3. Literary productions, literary works …

    New dictionary of synonyms

  • 7literature — /lit euhr euh cheuhr, choor , li treuh /, n. 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, novels, history, biography, and essays. 2.… …

    Universalium

  • 8literature — /ˈlɪtrətʃə / (say litruhchuh), /ˈlɪtərətʃə / (say lituhruhchuh) noun 1. writings in which expression and form, in connection with ideas of permanent and universal interest, are characteristic or essential features, as poetry, romance, history,… …

  • 9American literature — Introduction       the body of written works produced in the English language in the United States.       Like other national literatures, American literature was shaped by the history of the country that produced it. For almost a century and a… …

    Universalium

  • 10English Literature — • Latin, French, Italian, Greek, and Spanish literatures are a few of the influences Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. English Literature     English Literature      …

    Catholic encyclopedia