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Literal vs Verbal - What's the difference?

literal | verbal |

As adjectives the difference between literal and verbal

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 verbal is of or relating to words.

As nouns the difference between literal and verbal

is that literal is a value, as opposed to an identifier, written into the source code of a computer program while verbal is a verb form which does not function as a predicate, or a word derived from a verb. In English, infinitives, participles and gerunds are verbals.

As a verb verbal is

to induce into fabricating a confession.

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

    * ----

    verbal

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Of or relating to words.
  • Concerned with the words, rather than the substance of a text.
  • Consisting of words only.
  • * Mayhew
  • We subjoin an engraving which will give the reader a far better notion of the structure than any verbal description could convey to the mind.
  • Expressly spoken rather than written.
  • a verbal''' contract; '''verbal testimony
  • (grammar) Derived from, or having the nature of a verb.
  • (grammar) Used to form a verb.
  • Capable of speech.
  • * 2005 , Avril V. Brereton, Bruce J. Tonge, Pre-schoolers with autism (page 55)
  • How do these language problems affect the behaviour of verbal children?
  • Word for word; literal; verbatim.
  • a verbal translation
  • (obsolete) Abounding with words; verbose.
  • (Shakespeare)

    Synonyms

    * (of or relating to words) wordish

    Antonyms

    * (consisting of words only) non-verbal, substantive * (expressly spoken or written) implied * (expressly stated) unsaid * (capable of speech) preverbal

    Derived terms

    * verbal complement * verbal diarrhoea * verbal noun * verbal regency * verbal warning

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (grammar) A verb form which does not function as a predicate, or a word derived from a verb. In English, infinitives, participles and gerunds are verbals.
  • Synonyms

    * non-finite verb

    Verb

  • (transitive, British, Australia) To induce into fabricating a confession.
  • * 1982 , John A. Andrews, Human Rights in Criminal Procedure: A Comparative Study , ISBN 9024725526, BRILL, page 128:
  • "The problem of 'verballing' is unlikely to disappear, whatever the legal status of the person detained."
  • * 2001 , Chris Cunneen, Conflict, Politics and Crime: Aboriginal Communities and the Police , ISBN 1864487194, Allen & Unwin, page 116:
  • "Condren had always claimed that he was assaulted and verballed by police over the murder he had supposedly confessed to committing."
  • * 2004 , Jeremy Gans & Andrew Palmer, Australian Principles of Evidence , ISBN 1876905123, Routledge Cavendish, page 504:
  • "Moreover, given the risk of verballing , it is by no means apparent that it is in the interests of justice that the prosecution have the benefit of admissions that are made on occasions when recordings are impracticable."
    English transitive verbs ----