† unˈliterate, a.
[un-1 7, 5 b.]
a. Illiterate.
| a 1548 Hall Chron., Hen. IV, 11 These monasticall persones, lerned and vnliterate. 1688 W. Scot Hist. Fam. Scot p. v, An unliterate Souldier. |
b. Unliterary; not interested in reading or literature. Also absol.
| 1950 M. Mead Male & Female xiii. 271 The Gesell norms used by the reading mother or the neighbourhood gossip of the unliterate. 1960 Guardian 13 June 5/2 The innumerate humanist and the unliterate scientist were equally inadequate. |