What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Literal vs Idea - What's the difference?

literal | idea |

In lang=en terms the difference between literal and idea

is that literal is a propositional variable or the negation of a propositional variable while idea is a musical theme or melodic subject.

As nouns the difference between literal and idea

is that literal is a value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program while idea is an abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples.

As an adjective literal

is exactly as stated; read or understood without additional interpretation; according to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical.

literal

Alternative forms

* litteral (obsolete)

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Exactly as stated; read or understood without additional interpretation; according to the letter or verbal expression; real; not figurative or metaphorical.
  • The literal translation is “hands full of bananas” but it means empty-handed.
  • * Hooker
  • a middle course between the rigour of literal translation and the liberty of paraphrasts
  • Following the letter or exact words; not free; not taking liberties.
  • A literal reading of the law would prohibit it, but that is clearly not the intent.
  • (uncommon) Consisting of, or expressed by, letters.
  • a literal equation
  • * Johnson
  • The literal notation of numbers was known to Europeans before the ciphers.
  • (of a person) Giving a strict or literal construction; unimaginative; matter-of-fact.
  • Antonyms

    * (exactly as stated) figurative

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (programming) A value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program.
  • (logic) A propositional variable or the negation of a propositional variable.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resolution_%28logic%29]
  • See also

    * constant * prime formula

    Anagrams

    * ----

    idea

    English

    (wikipedia idea)

    Noun

  • (philosophy) An abstract archetype of a given thing, compared to which real-life examples are seen as imperfect approximations; pure essence, as opposed to actual examples.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-10-19, volume=409, issue=8858, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= Trouble at the lab , passage=The idea that the same experiments always get the same results, no matter who performs them, is one of the cornerstones of science’s claim to objective truth. If a systematic campaign of replication does not lead to the same results, then either the original research is flawed (as the replicators claim) or the replications are (as many of the original researchers on priming contend). Either way, something is awry.}}
  • (obsolete) The conception of someone or something as representing a perfect example; an ideal.
  • (obsolete) The form or shape of something; a quintessential aspect or characteristic.
  • *, II.6:
  • The remembrance whereof (which yet I beare deepely imprinted in my minde) representing me her visage and Idea so lively and so naturally, doth in some sort reconcile me unto her.
  • An image of an object that is formed in the mind or recalled by the memory.
  • More generally, any result of mental activity; a thought, a notion; a way of thinking.
  • *
  • , title=(The Celebrity), chapter=3 , passage=Now all this was very fine, but not at all in keeping with the Celebrity's character as I had come to conceive it. The idea that adulation ever cloyed on him was ludicrous in itself. In fact I thought the whole story fishy, and came very near to saying so.}}
  • * 1952 , (Alfred Whitney Griswold)
  • Ideas won't go to jail.
  • A conception in the mind of something to be done; a plan for doing something, an (l).
  • * , chapter=3
  • , title= Mr. Pratt's Patients , passage=My hopes wa'n't disappointed. I never saw clams thicker than they was along them inshore flats. I filled my dreener in no time, and then it come to me that 'twouldn't be a bad idee to get a lot more, take 'em with me to Wellmouth, and peddle 'em out. Clams was fairly scarce over that side of the bay and ought to fetch a fair price.}}
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2013-06-01, volume=407, issue=8838, page=71, magazine=(The Economist)
  • , title= End of the peer show , passage=Finance is seldom romantic. But the idea of peer-to-peer lending comes close. This is an industry that brings together individual savers and lenders on online platforms. Those that want to borrow are matched with those that want to lend.}}
  • A vague or fanciful (l); a feeling or hunch; an impression.
  • (music) A musical theme or melodic subject.
  • Synonyms

    * image

    Descendants

    * Japanese: (aidia)

    Derived terms

    * bad idea * good idea * idea'd * idea man * it seemed like a good idea at the time * idea monger * idea of reference * idea pot * life-idea * memory-idea * mother-idea * no idea * one-idea * received idea * sense-idea * simple idea * the very idea

    Statistics

    *

    Anagrams

    * 1000 English basic words ----