See Also: literally(dictionary)
literally(dictionary)

literally (iou)



literally adverb. L15.
[formed as LITERALISM + -LY2.]
In a literal manner, in the literal sense; so as to represent the very words of the original; so as to depict or describe the thing realistically; (emphasizing the use of a word or phrase) without metaphor, exaggeration, distortion, or allusion, colloq. with some exaggeration etc., emphatically.
Steele Others repeat only what they hear from others as literally as their parts or zeal will permit. T. Hardy A tone expressing that these words signified..about one hundred times the amount of meaning they conveyed literally. G. Greene He had only two pounds in his pocketnot literally in his pocket because..they had been taken away from him. J. B. Morton Though Tennyson's Enoch Arden was not literally inspired by her, yet he was staying with some friends of her great uncle's when it was published. K. Amis Literally hundreds of men were always pestering her to marry them. R. M. Pirsig He literally had to move heaven and earth to arrive at this systematic understanding.