Lit"er*a*ry (?), a. [L. litterarius, literarius,fr. littera, litera, a letter: cf. F. litt'eraire. See Letter.]

1.

Of or pertaining to letters or literature; pertaining to learning or learned men; as, literary fame; a literary history; literary conversation.

He has long outlived his century, the term commonly fixed as the test of literary merit. Johnson.

2.

Versed in, or acquainted with, literature; occupied with literature as a profession; connected with literature or with men of letters; as, a literary man.

In the literary as well as fashionable world. Mason.

Literary property. (a) Property which consists in written or printed compositions. (b) The exclusive right of publication as recognized and limited by law.<--- e.g. a copyright -->

 

© Webster 1913.

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