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ad litteram. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
ad litteram, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
ad litteram in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
ad litteram you have here. The definition of the word
ad litteram will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
ad litteram, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin ad litteram.
Adverb
ad litteram (not comparable)
- To the letter.
Further reading
Latin
Etymology
From ad (“to”) + litteram (“(the) letter”).
Adverb
ad litteram
- word-for-word, literally
(Can we date this quote?), Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, book IX, section I:Cicero quidem omnia orationis lumina in hunc locum congerit, mediam quandam, ut arbitror, secutus viam: ut neque omnis sermo schema iudicaretur neque ea sola quae haberent aliquam remotam ab usu communi fictionem, sed quae essent clarissima et ad movendum auditorem valerent plurimum. Quem duobus ab eo libris tractatum locum ad litteram subieci, ne fraudarem legentes iudicio maximi auctoris.- Indeed, Cicero places all manner of rhetorical flourish in this category, and in doing so follows what seems to me a middle course, such that he does not judge any expression to be a figure of speech, nor only that which differs in some fashion from common usage, but rather that which is the most brilliant and the most capable of moving the audience. This discussion of his, which is covered in two books, I have included below verbatim to avoid denying my readers the judgement of that illustrious author.
Synonyms
Descendants
- Direct borrowings:
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References