literalism: Meaning and Definition of

lit•er•al•ism

1. adherence to the exact letter or the literal sense, as in translation or interpretation: to interpret the law with uncompromising literalism.
2. a peculiarity of expression resulting from this: The work is studded with these obtuse literalisms.
3. exact representation or portrayal, without idealization, as in art or literature: a literalism more appropriate to journalism than to the novel.