Толковый словарь английского языка - literature

noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin litteratura writing, grammar, learning, from litteratus Date: 14th century literary culture, the production of literary work especially as an occupation, 3. a. writings in prose or verse, an example of such writings , the body of written works produced in a particular language, country, or age, the body of writings on a particular subject , printed matter (as leaflets or circulars) , the aggregate of a usually specified type of musical compositions