English
Etymology
from Latin literatus 'lettered, literate'
Pronunciation
(US) IPA: /�lɪt��r�ti/
Noun
literati pluralonly
- (plural) well-educated, literary people; intellectuals who are interested in literature
#*1748, Tobias George Smollett, The Adventures of Roderick Random
#*:First, to Counsellor Fitzclabber, who, he told me, was then employed in compiling a history of the kings of Minster, from Irish manuscripts; and then to his friend Mr. Gahagan, who was a profound philosopher and politician, and had projected many excellent schemes for the good of his country. But it seems these literati had been very ill rewarded for their ingenious labours; for, between them both, there was but one shirt, and half a pair of breeches.
#*1883, Isabella L. Bird, The Golden Chersonese and The Way Thither
#*:He is not of the people, this lordly magistrate. He is one of the privileged literati. His literary degrees are high and numerous.
Antonyms
illiterati
Related terms
glitterati
intelligentsia
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