| Definitions | noun (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 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 . His literary degrees are high and numerous.
Etymology: from Latin literatus 'lettered, literate'
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