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Literal vs Representative - What's the difference?

literal | representative |

As adjectives the difference between literal and representative

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

As a noun literal

is (programming) a value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program.

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

    * ----

    representative

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Typical; having the same properties or interest as a larger group.
  • Are you sure this paper is representative of your child's writing?
    If you took all the fools out of the legislature, it wouldn't be a representative body anymore. — Texas State Senator Carl Parker.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • One who may speak for another in a particular capacity, especially in negotiation.
  • I will send a representative to work out the details of the contract.
  • A member of a legislative or governing body who represents a constituency.
  • She served four terms as representative of her local at the national union convention.
  • One that is taken as typical of its class.
  • (US, politics) A member of the .
  • All representatives face re-election every two years.
  • Company agent who visits potential purchasers, salesman.
  • Synonyms

    * rep * See also