Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - literature

 noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin litteratura writing, grammar, learning, from litteratus  Date: 14th century  1. archaic literary culture  2. the production of literary work especially as an occupation  3.  a.  (1) writings in prose or verse; especially writings having excellence of form or expression and expressing ideas of permanent or universal interest  (2) an example of such writings what came out, though rarely ~, was always a roaring good story — People  b. the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age  c. the body of writings on a particular subject scientific ~  d. printed matter (as leaflets or circulars) campaign ~  4. the aggregate of a usually specified type of musical compositions