1. (n.) The collective body of literary productions\, embracing the entire results of knowledge and fancy preserved in writing; also, the whole body of literary productions or writings upon a given subject, or in reference to a particular science or branch of knowledge, or of a given country or period; as, the literature of Biblical criticism; the literature of chemistry.

2. (n.) Learning; acquaintance with letters or books.

3. (n.) The class of writings distinguished for beauty of style or expression, as poetry, essays, or history, in distinction from scientific treatises and works which contain positive knowledge; belles-lettres.

4. (n.) The occupation, profession, or business of doing literary work.

French literature Renaissance literature ancient literature article autograph belles lettres belles-lettres bibliography body of knowledge body of learning brainchild brochures circulars classics composition computer printout contemporary literature copy cyclopedia data document draft edited version encyclopedia engrossment erotic literature erotica essay facts fair copy fiction final draft finished version first draft flimsy folk literature holograph humane letters information kitsch leaflets letter letters literae scriptae literary artefact literary production lore lucubration manuscript materials matter medieval literature national literature nonfiction obscene literature opus original pamphlets paper parchment penscript piece piece of writing play poem polite literature pop literature popular literature pornographic literature pornography printed matter printout production propaganda pseudonymous literature publications publicity reading matter recension republic of letters scatological literature screed scrip script scrive scroll second draft serious literature store of knowledge system of knowledge the written word transcript transcription travel literature treasury of information typescript underground literature version wisdom literature work writing writings