literary heritage

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   the body of important writing that a society or culture has received from earlier generations and values as part of its identity.

   Grammar: Usually used with 'the' or a possessive: the literary heritage of Spain, our literary heritage.

   Patterns

   • the literary heritage of a place
   • a nation's literary heritage
   • part of the literary heritage

   The literary heritage of Ireland includes poets and playwrights known around the world.

   Schools should teach students about their own literary heritage as well as foreign classics.

   War destroyed much of the country's literary heritage, including rare manuscripts.

2. 2noununcountable

   the books, poems, and other written works that a particular family, school, or group has produced and passed down.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'of' plus the group: the literary heritage of the Bloomsbury group.

   Patterns

   • the literary heritage of a group
   • a family's literary heritage

   The university takes pride in its literary heritage, which stretches back three centuries.

   Her novels are now considered part of the literary heritage of the women's movement.

Common combinations

rich literary heritage

Greece has a rich literary heritage that begins with Homer.

preserve the literary heritage

The museum works to preserve the literary heritage of the region.

national literary heritage

Shakespeare is central to the national literary heritage of England.

draw on the literary heritage

Modern writers often draw on the literary heritage of their childhood.

Synonyms and how they differ

literary tradition

This focuses on the customs and styles passed down, while 'literary heritage' stresses the works themselves as valued possessions.

cultural heritage

This is much broader and includes music, art, and customs, not only writing.

Word family

literature noun

Written works such as novels, poems, and plays.

literary adjective

Connected with literature or writing.

Commonly confused: literary heritage or literal heritage?

Practice

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