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Nic Name · 09-23-2002, 11:50 AM

Main Entry: lit.er.al.ly
Pronunciation: 'li-t&-r&-lE, 'li-tr&-lE, 'li-t&r-lE
Function: adverb
Date: 1533
1 : in a literal sense or manner : ACTUALLY
2 : in effect : VIRTUALLY
usage Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposite of sense 1, it has been frequently criticized as a misuse. Instead, the use is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.

09-23-2002, 11:50 AM	#7
Nic Name retired Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,930	Main Entry: lit.er.al.ly Pronunciation: 'li-t&-r&-lE, 'li-tr&-lE, 'li-t&r-lE Function: adverb Date: 1533 1 : in a literal sense or manner : ACTUALLY 2 : in effect : VIRTUALLY usage Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposite of sense 1, it has been frequently criticized as a misuse. Instead, the use is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary.