literature in WordNet English dictionary

1. the humanistic study of a body of literature
   "he took a course in Russian lit"
   literature  lit 
   
2. the profession or art of a writer
   "her place in literature is secure"
   literature 
   
3. creative writing of recognized artistic value
   literature 
   
4. published writings in a particular style on a particular subject
   "the technical literature"; "one aspect of Waterloo has not yet been treated in the literature"
   literature