<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>Adherence to the exact letter or the literal sense, as in translation or interpretation:<ul><li>to interpret the law with uncompromising literalism.</li></ul></li><li>A peculiarity of expression resulting from this:<ul><li>The work is studded with these obtuse literalisms.</li></ul></li><li>Exact representation or portrayal, without idealization, as in art or literature:<ul><li>a literalism more appropriate to journalism than to the novel.</li></ul></li></ul>