(literature) The study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of literature.

(literature) The theory or the philosophy of the interpretation of literature and literary criticism

(literature) Literary device.

(literature) An identifiable rule of thumb, convention, or structure that is employed in literature and storytelling.

Journalism with a more storylike twist than its factual counterpart.

In many European countries, all kinds of scientific study pertinent to literature, including history of literature, literary criticism, comparative literature, and literary theory.

Pertaining to the literature of law.

(law) A person acting on behalf of beneficiaries (e.g. family members, a designated charity, a research library or archive) under the author's will.

Any work of fiction regarded as having literary merit. / Fiction lacking speculative elements and centred on character and theme.

(grammar) The present tense as used by convention to describe events in fictional works, such as when explaining the plot of a book or film.