[f. LITERATE: see -ACY. (Formed as an antithesis to illiteracy.)] The quality or state of being literate; knowledge of letters; condition in respect to education, esp. ability to read and write.
1883. New Eng. Jrnl. Educ., XVII. 54. Massachusetts is the first state in the Union in literacy in its native population.
1888. New Princeton Rev., Dec., 336. Education is more general, our literacy greatly increased, our habits and tastes more refined.
1893. Athenæum, 19 Aug., 255/3. It was for Mr. Edgar to trace the gradual progress in Scotland from illiteracy to literacy.
